Identification of protective linear B-cell epitopes on the subolesin/akirin orthologues of Ornithodoros spp. soft ticks

- Non-protective anti-subolesin antibodies recognized structured regions of the protein.
- Synthetic peptides were designed from disordered/unrecognized subolesin fragments.
- Anti-peptide antibodies bind to disordered regions and provide protection.
- Biological activity of subolesin is likely exerted through its unstructured regions.
- New candidate antigens for developing subolesin-based vaccines are reported.