Back to Search
Start Over
Validation of a structural comparison of the antigenic characteristics of Usutu virus and West Nile virus envelope proteins
- Source :
- Virus research. 189
- Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Cross-reactions observed in serological assays between Usutu virus (USUV), the USUV outlier subtype strain CAR_1969 and West Nile virus (WNV) suggest that they share antigenic features amongst their structural outer proteins especially envelope (E) proteins. To investigate the molecular background of this observation, we compared the E protein sequences of seven USUV strains, USUV subtype strain CAR_1969 and WNV strain 2471, focusing on the binding site defined by the WNV neutralizing antibody E16. USUV SouthAfrica_1959 differs from WNV 2741 in three of four residues critical for E16 antibody binding and five of the 12 additionally involved residues. In contrast, USUV subtype CAR_1969 differs from WNV 2741 in two critical residues and five additional residues. Furthermore, USUV subtype CAR_1969 differs from other USUV strains in two critical residues. E16 antibody binding has previously been shown to be highly specific for WNV; thus, the observed variation in amino acid residues suggests that the region corresponding to the WNV E16 epitope is probably not responsible for the observed cross-reactions between WNV and USUV. Seroneutralisation assays confirmed these findings for WNV and USUV, however, showed occurring cross-reactivity between WNV and USUV subtype CAR_1969 at high antibody titers. The sequence diversity in this region might also explain some of the observed different antigenic characteristics of USUV strains and USUV subtype CAR_1969. A therapeutic effect of E16 antibody has been described in WNV infected mice; therefore, a USUV specific antibody generated against the region corresponding to the WNV E16 binding site might represent an approach for treating USUV infections.
- Subjects :
- Cancer Research
viruses
Sequence Homology
Cross Reactions
Antibodies, Viral
Epitope
Serology
Mice
Antigen
Viral Envelope Proteins
Virology
Animals
Binding site
Neutralizing antibody
Antigens, Viral
biology
Antibody titer
virus diseases
biology.organism_classification
Antibodies, Neutralizing
nervous system diseases
Infectious Diseases
Encephalitis Viruses, Japanese
biology.protein
Antibody
Usutu virus
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 18727492
- Volume :
- 189
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Virus research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b6d40590f1178004a32179b47ce3ca82