Novel anti-dengue monoclonal antibody recognizing conformational structure of the prM-E heterodimeric complex of

Chunya Puttikhunt1, Poonsook Keelapang, Nuanpan Khemnu

  • 1Medical Biotechnology Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok, Thailand.

Journal of Medical Virology
|November 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A new monoclonal antibody, 2E11, specifically detects the dengue virus premembrane-envelope (prM-E) heterodimer. This antibody is a valuable tool for studying flavivirus maturation and export processes.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Structural Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Flavivirus assembly requires interaction between premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) glycoproteins.
  • The precise nature of the prM-E heterodimer interaction during dengue virus replication needs further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To generate and characterize a novel mouse monoclonal antibody (Mab) 2E11.
  • To confirm the prM-E heterodimer interaction in dengue virus.

Main Methods:

  • Generation and characterization of Mab 2E11.
  • Immunofluorescence assays.
  • Immuno-pull down assays.
  • Analysis of transfected cells expressing full-length and truncated E proteins.

Main Results:

  • Mab 2E11 specifically recognizes the dengue prM-E heterodimeric complex.
  • The antibody binds to prM-E expressed in cis and in trans but not to individual prM or E proteins.
  • Reactivity of Mab 2E11 was reduced when a truncated E protein lacking the C-terminal transmembrane region was used.

Conclusions:

  • Mab 2E11 is a novel tool for detecting the conformational structure of the dengue virus prM-E heterodimer.
  • This antibody can aid in the identification and characterization of the prM-E heterodimer.
  • Mab 2E11 will facilitate research into flavivirus maturation and export.