Epitopes on 14S subunits, natural empty capsids and virions of bovine enteroviruses

Eighteen monoclonal antibodies were produced against three Australian bovine enterovirus serogroups. Based on their binding patterns to 14S subunits, natural empty capsids and virions of 4 selected viral isolates (K2577, SL305, 66/27, J2129) in two types of quantitative ELISAs, the 18 antibodies were shown to belong to four groups. Due to the specific reaction of monoclonal antibodies, the four groups likely react with four epitopes. The first epitope was shown mainly on the surface of isolate K2577. The second and the third epitopes were common epitopes shared by all four isolates. These epitopes presented equally well on 14S subunits, natural empty capsids and virions. The fourth epitope was present mainly on the natural empty capsids and shared by most, but not all isolates. The four epitopes seem to be conformation dependent epitopes.