Cryptosporidium Recombinant Proteins 

Cryptosporidium recombinant proteins are engineered antigens derived from the Cryptosporidium genus, a protozoan parasite responsible for cryptosporidiosis, an intestinal disease affecting humans and animals. These proteins are primarily used in research and diagnostics to study host-pathogen interactions, immune responses, and disease mechanisms, as well as for vaccine and therapeutic development.

Content on Cryptosporidium Recombinant Proteins

• Key Antigenic Proteins
  • Cp23 (23 kDa Antigen): A widely studied surface protein involved in parasite invasion and immune recognition.
  • Cryptosporidium Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs): Key players in stress responses and pathogenicity.
  • Microneme and Dense Granule Proteins (e.g., MIC1, GP900): Crucial for parasite motility, adhesion, and invasion of host epithelial cells.
• Expression Systems
  • Prokaryotic Systems (e.g., E. coli): Suitable for producing recombinant antigens at high yields, especially those not requiring post-translational modifications.
  • Eukaryotic Systems (e.g., yeast, insect, or mammalian cells): Used for expressing glycosylated proteins or those requiring disulfide bond formation for functional activity.

Applications of Cryptosporidium Recombinant Proteins

• Diagnostics Development
  • Antigen Detection: Used in immunoassays such as ELISA, lateral flow tests, or immunochromatography to detect Cryptosporidium antigens in stool samples.
  • Serological Testing: Facilitate antibody detection in infected individuals for epidemiological studies and diagnosis.
• Vaccine Research
  • Evaluate immune responses to recombinant antigens as vaccine candidates.
  • Study protective efficacy in animal models to develop immunization strategies against cryptosporidiosis.
• Host-Pathogen Interaction Studies
  • Investigate the mechanisms of parasite adhesion, invasion, and replication in host epithelial cells.
  • Study immune evasion tactics employed by Cryptosporidium using recombinant proteins.
• Therapeutic Target Discovery
  • Screen small molecules or antibodies targeting recombinant proteins critical for parasite survival and infectivity.
  • Identify inhibitors of proteins involved in host cell invasion (e.g., microneme proteins).

Cryptosporidium recombinant proteins are critical for advancing our understanding of cryptosporidiosis and developing effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies to combat this significant parasitic disease.