CAN SOFTWARE BE USED TO PREDICT ANTIGENIC REGIONS IN PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM PEPTIDES

We compared the antigenicity of p126 Plasmodium falciparum peptides wi th predicted antigenic regions identified using the methods described by Garnier et al. (1978) and Chou & Fasman (1974). For this purpose ni ne different P. falciparum peptides were synthesized in accordance wit h the deduced amino acid sequence of the p126 gene, and their reactivi ty was tested using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay against sera from individuals with a natural malaria infection. Both predictive met hods gave similar antigenic-index scores, however, a comparison of the se predictive results with data obtained by ELISA showed that the prob ability of a correct prediction was only around 45% for both cases. Th us, in our view computer softwares could not be used in isolation for screening purposes, and other parameters must also be taken into accou nt when using such software to assess antigenicity.