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A monoclonal antibody that recognizes the predicted tick-borne encephalitis virus E protein fusion sequence blocks

T D Volkova1, M F Vorovitch, V T Ivanov

  • 1Shimyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Moscow, Russia.

Archives of Virology
|July 23, 1999
PubMed

Insights

A monoclonal antibody targeting the tick-borne encephalitis virus E protein

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a significant human pathogen.
  • The E protein of TBEV is crucial for viral entry.
  • A specific region (98-120) of the E protein is predicted to be involved in fusion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the conserved region of the TBEV E protein in viral fusion.
  • To determine if antibodies targeting this region can inhibit viral fusion.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of a peptide corresponding to residues 98-113 of the TBEV E protein.
  • Generation of a non-neutralizing monoclonal antibody against this peptide.
  • Assay to measure the inhibition of TBEV fusion with artificial membranes.

Main Results:

  • A non-neutralizing monoclonal antibody was generated that recognizes a synthetic peptide (residues 98-113) of the TBEV E protein.
  • This antibody effectively blocked the fusion of TBEV particles with artificial membranes.

Conclusions:

  • The conserved region (98-113) of the TBEV E protein plays a critical role in the fusion process.
  • Targeting this fusion motif with antibodies can inhibit viral entry, offering potential therapeutic strategies.

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