Prediction of Major Histocompatibility Complex Binding Peptides and Epitopes from Fatty-Acid-Binding Protein of the Human Blood Fluke Schistosoma Japonicum

Abstract

Schistosoma japonicum are blood flukes of humans that cause chronic, highly debilitating diseases involving extensive liver damage. In the present study, fatty-acid-binding protein of the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum is being used to find out highly suitable MHC binding peptides and epitopes. MHC molecules are cell surface proteins, which take active part in host immune reactions and involvement of MHC class in response to almost all antigens and it give effects on specific sites. Predicted MHC binding regions acts like red flags for antigen specific and generate immune response against the parent antigen. So a small fragment of antigen can induce immune response against whole antigen. This theme is implemented in designing subunit and synthetic peptide vaccines. Fragments identified through this approach tend to be high efficiency binders, in which larger percentage of their atoms are directly involved in binding as compared to larger molecules. Binding ability prediction of peptides to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I & II molecules is important in vaccine development from fatty-acid-binding protein of the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum.