Type-specific and cross-reactive antigenicity of capsid proteins VP1 and VP2 of echovirus type 7

After disruption of echovirus type 7 virions with urea and heat, VP1 and VP2 were separated by isoelectric focusing in urea-containing sucrose gradients. Antisera to these two polypeptides were produced in guinea pigs. In complement fixation, antiserum to VP1 reacted with native and heated virions (N and H antigens, respectively) of homologous virus, and also cross-reacted with heated virions of some other enteroviruses used. Antiserum to VP2 was reactive only with heated virions of homologous and heterologous viruses. Interestingly, the anti-VP2 serum reacted neither with native nor even with heated procapsids (naturally-occurring empty capsids). Antiserum to VP1, but not VP2, showed neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibiting activities. These results suggest that 1) both VP1 and VP2 possess cross-reactive antigenic determinants which are exposed on the surface of heated virions, and 2) type-specific determinants of VP1 are located on the surface of native virions.