[Localization of the antigenic segment of the tick-borne encephalitis virus envelope protein using monoclonal...

The largest cyanogen bromide fragment (GP-14,5; coordinates 78-176) of E protein belonging to the envelope of the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus (Far Eastern subtype, strain Sofjin) interacted with five out of twelve E-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Having compared; efficiencies of some MAbs binding to the antigens of TBE viruses of Far Eastern and West European subtypes and primary structures of analogous peptides of these viruses, we suggested the epitopes of these MAbs to be located in the vicinity of 89 and/or 116-th amino acid residues of E protein. Effect of denaturing agents and reduction followed by carboxymethylation on the protein E antigenic properties was studied.