Systematic epitope analysis of the p26 EIAV core protein.

摘要: The major core protein of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), p26, is one the primary immunogenic structural proteins during a persistent infection horses and highly conserved among antigenically variants viral isolates. In order to investigate its immune profile in more detail for better diagnostic, an epitope mapping was carried out by means two libraries overlapping peptide fragments prepared simultaneous parallel SPPS on derivatized cellulose membranes (SPOT synthesis). Polyclonal sera from infected were used biological assay. Particularly promising continuous epitopes (NAMRHL MYACRD) localized C-terminal extreme region 194–222. A cyclic synthetic fragment 29 amino acid residues containing identified designed studied. significant conformational change towards helical structure observed when cyclized bridge between Cys198 Cys218. This observation correlated with improvement ability be recognized specific antibodies EIA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay). These results suggest that conformationally restricted antigen adequately mimics native this p26 protein. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.