IDENTIFICATION OF A SURROGATE TSL-1 ANTIGEN OF TRICHINELLA-SPIRALIS FROM A PHAGE LIBRARY OF RANDOM PEPTIDES

We sought to find a peptide analogue of an important antigen (TSL-1) o f Trichinella spiralis which is recognized by the 7C2C5 antibody. A ph age library which displays a short (15-mer) randomly-generated peptide at the filament of the minor coat protein of the virion was used for selection by the 7C2C5 antibody. A peptide thus identified ICDASGLGCWC WSLSP, was found to be a true surrogate since its binding to the antib ody could be blocked by the native antigen and conversely, an antiseru m made to the peptide could recognize the native antigen. In addition, the peptide appeared to detect T. spiralis-infected pigs although it was less discriminatory than the native antigen.