Clarification of the Functional Significance of Human Folate-binding Protein-α, Peptide 191-199, based on a Correct GenBank Sequence and on Other FBP (191-199) Sequences

Abstract

It has been brought to our attention that one of the folate binding protein (FBP) peptides, which we reported first as antigenic and immunogenic in cancer patients, the FBP 191-199, is “off by one amino acid from the amino acid sequence that is listed in GenBank”. We searched the published information on FBP and found that the FBP 191-199, which we reported contains threonine 197 instead of the GenBank tyrosine 197. In addition, we found mutations in the FBP (191-199) in other positions, as well as in the flanking residues which direct processing. The potential significance of these changes for cancer vaccines is discussed. It is highly recommended that future human studies with FBP will analyze both GenBank and published sequences in the literature. The large number of mutations in immunogenic FBP-tumor antigens, reported more recently, should be considered during preclinical testing for vaccine and gene therapy in human cancers.