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Antigenic and immunogenic investigation of B-cell epitopes in the nucleocapsid protein of peste des petits ruminants virus.

Attempts were made to identify and map epitopes on the nucleocapsid (N) protein of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) (Nigeria75/1 strain) using seven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and deletion mutants. At least four antigenic domains (A-I, A-II, C-I, and C-II) were identified using the MAbs. Domains A-I (MAb 33-4) and A-II (MAbs 38-4, P-3H12, and P-13A9) were determined to be located on the amino-terminal half (amino acids [aa] 1 to 262), and domains C-I (P-14C6) and C-II (P-9H10 and P-11A6) were within the carboxy-terminal region (aa 448 to 521). Nonreciprocal competition between A-II MAbs and MAbs to C-I and C-II domains was observed, indicating that they may be exposed on the surface of the N protein and spatially overlap each other. Blocking or competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies using PPRV serum antibodies revealed that epitopes on the domains A-II and C-II were immunodominant, whereas those on the domains A-I and C-I were not. The competition between MAb and rinderpest virus (RPV) serum antibodies raised against RPV strain LATC was found in two epitopes (P-3H12 and P-13A9) on the domain A-II, indicating that these epitopes may cause cross-reactivity between PPRV and RPV. Identification of immunodominant but PPRV-specific epitopes and domains will provide the foundation in designing an N-protein-based diagnostic immunoassay for PPRV.

Animals↗

Orientation of the epsilon subunit in Escherichia coli ATP synthase.

Deletion mutations in the NH2- and COOH-terminal regions of the epsilon subunit of Escherichia coli ATP synthase were constructed making use of the AatII and HincII restriction enzyme sites. The resultant mutated epsilon species were analyzed for in vivo functionality and for recognition by anti-epsilon monoclonal antibodies. Deletion of residues Asp-7 through Gln-14 (epsilon delta D7-Q14) resulted in reduced ability to complement uncC mutants as determined by growth yields on limiting glucose medium and by formation of small colonies on plates with succinate as the source of carbon and energy. None of the other mutants was notably impaired. Upon induction to obtain overexpression, the NH2-terminal deletion mutants were expressed at levels comparable to the wild-type epsilon subunit, but the COOH-terminal deletion mutants were expressed less strongly, suggesting that residues in the latter region are important for protein stability. Monoclonal antibody epsilon-1, which cannot bind to epsilon when it is part of F1-ATPase, recognized the COOH-terminal deletions well, but the NH2-terminal deletions poorly. Additional epitope mapping using epsilon fusion proteins revealed that residues required for the epsilon-1 epitope extend to between Thr-77 and Arg-85. Monoclonal antibody epsilon-4, which can bind to epsilon when it is part of F1-ATPase, recognized the NH2-terminal deletions well, but hardly recognized the COOH-terminal deletions, indicating a role of residues located COOH-terminal to Ile-131 in recognition by this antibody. Epitope mapping using the fusion proteins revealed that the residues required by epsilon-4 begin in the region between Val-78 and Met-95. These results imply a two-domain structure of epsilon and orient the subunit within the enzyme.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Selection of continuous epitope sequences and their incorporation into poly(ethylene glycol)-peptide conjugates for use in serodiagnostic immunoassays: application to Lyme disease.

Continuous epitope sequences were selected from immunogenic Bb proteins by epitope mapping. The identified epitope sequences were synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis and purified by high performance liquid chromatography. Each epitope was conjugated individually to a multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) carrier. The result PEG-peptide conjugates were used as antigens in ELISA for diagnosis of Lyme disease. The results showed that the defined epitope peptides were Lyme disease specific and could be used in a format of PEG-peptide conjugate as the antigen to achieve improved sensitivity and specificity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibody fragments from a 'single pot' phage display library as immunochemical reagents.

The display of repertoires of antibody fragments on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage offers a new way of making antibodies with predefined binding specificities. Here we explored the use of this technology to make immunochemical reagents to a range of antigens by selection from a repertoire of > 10(8) clones made in vitro from human V gene segments. From the same 'single pot' repertoire, phage were isolated with binding activities to each of 18 antigens, including the intracellular proteins p53, elongation factor EF-1 alpha, immunoglobulin binding protein, rhombotin-2 oncogene protein and sex determining region Y protein. Both phage and scFv fragments secreted from infected bacteria were used as monoclonal and polyclonal reagents in Western blots. Furthermore the monoclonal reagents were used for epitope mapping (a new epitope of p53 was identified) and for staining of cells. This shows that antibody reagents for research can be readily derived from 'single pot' phage display libraries.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mapping of linear epitopes of human histone H1 recognized by rabbit anti-H1/H5 antisera and antibodies from autoimmune patients.

Seventeen synthetic peptides of 15-16 residues, covering the complete sequence of the major human H1b variant, were tested for their capacity to bind serum IgG antibodies from 128 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). One peptide (residues 111-127) of the human H1 degree variant and six synthetic and natural fragments of H5 were also tested. Results were compared to those obtained with antibodies from 11 rabbits immunized against chicken H1 and H5, and calf H1. The activity of peptides was tested in direct ELISA and in inhibition assays with free peptides in solution. A major epitope recognized by antibodies from SLE, RA and pSS patients as well as by rabbit antibodies was identified in the C-terminus of H1b (residues 204-218). Other peptides in the globular (residues 79-94) and C-terminal domains of H1b and peptide 111-127 of H1 degree were also recognized, albeit at a lower level and frequency, and some of them contain sequence homologies with peptide 204-218. Patients' antibodies and rabbit antisera were tested with complete H1 proteins from HeLa cells, calf thymus and chicken erythrocytes and with chicken H5. Less than 25% of autoimmune sera contained IgG antibodies reacting with H1/H5 in a direct ELISA. In dot-immunoassay, antigenic activity with intact H1/H5 proteins was detected in a larger number of sera. Using antibodies raised in rabbits against peptides 1-16 and 204-218 of H1b, we found no reaction with H1 immobilized on a solid-phase. In contrast, peptides 144-159, 170-185 and 204-218, which contain identical structural domains, compete with H1 in solution indicating that any of these three regions are accessible at the surface of free H1 and may be involved in the induction of specific antibodies in autoimmune patients.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and applications of the two/three-base restriction endonuclease R.CviJI from IL-3A virus-infected Chlorella.

The gene (cviJIR) encoding the two/three-base R.CviJI eukaryotic restriction endonuclease (ENase) from IL-3A virus-infected Chlorella was cloned into Escherichia coli. A high frequency of DNA cleavage by R.CviJI required overexpression of the gene encoding the M.CviJI methyltransferase prior to cloning the gene for the ENase. Both genes were sequenced and their organization was determined to be in head-to-tail order. The open reading frame coding for R.CviJI can potentially translate a 41.4-kDa protein; however, in the E. coli host, a truncated version of the enzyme is produced (32.5 kDa). The recombinant ENase does not exhibit ATP-induced 'star' activity (R.CviJI cleaves at RGCY, while R.CviJI* also cleaves at RGCR and YGCY, but not at YGCR), as is characteristic for native R.CviJI. The very high frequency of DNA cleavage by R.CviJI* was exploited in the development of a quasi-random shotgun library method. R.CviJI*-generated oligodeoxyribonucleotides were applied to improve certain molecular biology applications, i.e., DNA labeling, detection, high-resolution restriction mapping, amplification and epitope mapping.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mapping a neutralizing epitope on the SARS coronavirus spike protein: computational prediction based on affinity-selected peptides.

Rapid elucidation of neutralizing antibody epitopes on emerging viral pathogens like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) or highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus is of great importance for rational design of vaccines against these viruses. Here we combined screening of phage display random peptide libraries with a unique computer algorithm "Mapitope" to identify the discontinuous epitope of 80R, a potent neutralizing human anti-SARS monoclonal antibody against the spike protein. Using two different types of random peptide libraries which display cysteine-constrained loops or linear 13-15-mer peptides, independent panels containing 42 and 18 peptides were isolated, respectively. These peptides, which had no apparent homologous motif within or between the peptide pools and spike protein, were deconvoluted into amino acid pairs (AAPs) by Mapitope and the statistically significant pairs (SSPs) were defined. Mapitope analysis of the peptides was first performed on a theoretical model of the spike and later on the genuine crystal structure. Three clusters (A, B and C) were predicted on both structures with remarkable overlap. Cluster A ranked the highest in the algorithm in both models and coincided well with the sites of spike protein that are in contact with the receptor, consistent with the observation that 80R functions as a potent entry inhibitor. This study demonstrates that by using this novel strategy one can rapidly predict and identify a neutralizing antibody epitope, even in the absence of the crystal structure of its target protein.

Algorithms↗

Mapping of linear epitopes on fibre knob of human adenovirus serotype 5.

Linear antigenic epitopes on the Ad5 fibre knob (FK5) were characterised with fibre- and virion-specific antisera, using 15-mer overlapping peptides covering the knob of the fibre. They were compared with epitopes on the Ad2 fibre knob (FK2) domain. The stronger reactive FK5 epitopes were represented by peptides P3 (amino acids (aa A419-L433)), P6 (aa S449-E463), P7 (aa I459-L473), P12 (aa G509-N523), P14 (aa P529-G543) and P16 (aa A549-Y563). P3 spans the B beta-strand and the left portion of the C beta-strand, P6 and P7 the D beta-strand and the adjacent parts of the CD and DE loops, P12, P14 and P16 the G, H and I beta strands and the adjacent parts of the loops, respectively. The stronger reactive epitopes on FK2 were located in P2 (aa P409-L423), P6 (aa T449-Q463), P8 (aa E469-G483), P13 (aa Q519-T533) and P16 (aa S549-K563). The positions of FK5 and FK2 derived peptides, representing epitopes, are either identical or overlapping or adjacent, as determined by amino acid sequence alignment. Antisera obtained against several longer peptides showed virus neutralising capacity, indicating neutralising epitopes in these peptides.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗

Mapping of peptidic epitopes of glycophorins A (GPA) and C (GPC) with peptides synthesized on plastic pins (Pepscan analysis).

The peptidic epitopes of 12 anti-GPA and 4 anti-GPC antibodies were identified with the use of peptides synthesized on the pins. Most of the antibodies were specific for epitopes located in extracellular portion of glycophorins, and only 2 anti-GPA and 1 anti-GPC recognized epitopes in their C-terminal cytoplasmic tails. The extracellular GPA epitopes were located in two regions of the polypeptide chain, within a.a. residues 38-44 and 49-58.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Fine mapping of an epitope recognized by an invasion-inhibitory monoclonal antibody on the malaria vaccine candidate apical membrane antigen 1.

Antibodies that inhibit red blood cell invasion by the Plasmodium merozoite block the erythrocytic cycle responsible for clinical malaria. The invasion-inhibitory monoclonal antibody (mAb) 4G2 recognizes a conserved epitope in the ectodomain of the essential Plasmodium falciparum microneme protein and vaccine candidate, apical membrane antigen 1 (PfAMA1). Here we demonstrate that purified Fab fragments of 4G2 inhibit invasion markedly more efficiently than the intact mAb, suggesting that the invasion-inhibitory activity of this mAb is not due solely to steric effects and that the epitope lies within a functionally critical region of the molecule. We have taken advantage of a synthetic gene encoding a modified form of PfAMA1, and existing x-ray crystal structure data, to fully characterize this epitope. We first validate the gene by demonstrating that it fully complements the function of the authentic gene in P. falciparum. We then use it to identify a group of residues within the previously described domain II loop of PfAMA1 that are critical for recognition by mAb 4G2 and demonstrate that the epitope lies exclusively within this loop with no contributions from residues in other domains of the molecule. This is the first complete characterization of a conserved invasion-inhibitory epitope on PfAMA1. Our results will aid in the design of subunit vaccines designed to generate a broadly effective, focused anti-PfAMA1 protective immune response and may help elucidate the function of PfAMA1.

Animals↗

Immunological characterization of abnormal prion protein from atypical scrapie cases in sheep using a panel of monoclonal antibodies.

After the implementation of an active surveillance programme for scrapie in sheep in the EU, the number of diagnosed classical scrapie cases rose sharply and a novel kind of so-called atypical scrapie case was discovered. These atypical scrapie cases display unusual features concerning the distribution of the abnormal prion protein (PrP(Sc)) in the brain, a distinct electrophoretic profile of PrP(Sc) and an inconsistent reaction pattern in the currently used rapid tests. In this report, PrP(Sc) of two German atypical sheep scrapie cases was characterized by epitope mapping using a panel of 18 monoclonal antibodies that were directed against epitopes located throughout the prion protein. This analysis suggests that PrP(Sc) derived from atypical scrapie cases and treated with proteinase K is largely composed of an 11 kDa fragment (previously referred to as the 12 kDa band) and of polymeric fragments thereof. The 11 kDa band corresponds to a prion protein fragment spanning approximately aa 90-153 and may therefore represent a novel PrP(Sc) type.

Animals↗

Production and characterization of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that recognize an epitope in domain 2 of Bacillus anthracis protective antigen.

Antibodies against the protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis play a key role in response to infection by this important pathogen. The aim of this study was to produce and characterize monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for PA and to identify novel neutralizing epitopes. Three murine mAbs with high specificity and nanomolar affinity for B. anthracis recombinant protective antigen (rPA) were produced and characterized. Western immunoblot analysis, coupled with epitope mapping using overlapping synthetic peptides, revealed that these mAbs recognize a linear epitope within domain 2 of rPA. Neutralization assays demonstrate that these mAbs effectively neutralize lethal toxin in vitro.

Animals↗

Characterization of HPV16 L1 loop domains in the formation of a type-specific, conformational epitope.

BACKGROUND: Virus-like particles (VLPs) formed by the human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 capsid protein are currently being tested in clinical trials as prophylactic vaccines against genital warts and cervical cancer. The efficacy of these vaccines is critically dependent upon L1 type-specific conformational epitopes. To investigate the molecular determinants of the HPV16 L1 conformational epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody 16A, we utilized a domain-swapping approach to generate a series of L1 proteins composed of a canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) L1 backbone containing different regions of HPV16 L1. RESULTS: Gross domain swaps, which did not alter the ability of L1 to assemble into VLPs, demonstrated that the L1 N-terminus encodes at least a component of the 16A antigenic determinant. Finer epitope mapping, using GST-L1 fusion proteins, mapped the 16A epitope to the L1 variable regions I and possibly II within the N-terminus. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that non-contiguous loop regions of L1 display critical components of a type-specific, conformational epitope.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein-reactive CD4+ T cells in human subjects.

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP) is recognized as a major autoantigen for autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the NOD mouse model. This study was undertaken to examine CD4+ T cell responses toward IGRP in human subjects. The tetramer-guided epitope mapping approach was used to identify IGRP-specific CD4+ T cell epitopes. IGRP(23-35) and IGRP(247-259) were identified as DRA1*0101/DRB1*0401-restricted epitopes. IGRP(13-25) and IGRP(226-238) were identified as DRA1*0101/DRB1*0301-restricted epitopes. IGRP-specific tetramers were used to evaluate the prevalence of IGRP-reactive T cells in healthy and T1D subjects. More than 80% of subjects with either DRB1*0401 or DRB1*0301 haplotype have IGRP-specific CD4+ T cell responses for at least one IGRP epitope. IGRP-specific T cells from both healthy and T1D groups produce both gamma-IFN and IL-10. DRA1*0101/DRB1*0401 IGRP(247-259)-restricted T cells also show cross-reactivity to an epitope derived from liver/kidney glucose-6-phosphatase. The detection of IGRP-reactive T cells in both type 1 diabetic subjects and healthy subjects and recent reports of other autoreactive T cells detected in healthy subjects underscore the prevalence of potentially autoreactive T cells in the peripheral immune system of the general population.

Adult↗

Inhibitory anti-CYP3A4 peptide antibody: mapping of inhibitory epitope and specificity toward other CYP3A isoforms.

An antipeptide antibody has been produced that recognizes CYP3A4 and exhibits greater than 90-95% inhibition on CYP3A4-mediated reactions [Wang RW and Lu AYH (1997) Drug Metab Dispos 25:762-767]. The inhibitory epitope of the 21-amino acid peptide, corresponding to residues 253 to 273 of CYP3A4, has been identified to reside in a 7-amino acid sequence (LEDTQKH: residues 261-267 of CYP3A4). This conclusion was based on the reversal of antibody inhibition of testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation when peptides with overlapping sequence in this region were preincubated with the antibody. In immunoblotting analysis, this antibody did not recognize CYP3A5 or CYP3A7 in microsomes prepared from baculovirus-infected cells containing these two expressed isoforms. In addition, the antipeptide antibody did not inhibit testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation or midazolam 1'- and 4-hydroxylation in microsomes containing expressed CYP3A5 and CYP3A7. Because the corresponding sequence in CYP3A5 (LNDKQKH) and CYP3A7 (LKETQKH) differs from CYP3A4 by only two amino acids, six peptides with either one or two amino acid changes were used to determine which amino acid is essential for antibody-antigen interaction. Our data indicate that Glu, Asp, and Thr in the 7-amino acid sequence of CYP3A4 are critical determinants of selectivity among CYP3A isoforms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular mapping of epitopes involved in ligand activation of the human receptor for the neuropeptide, VIP, based on hybrids with the human secretin receptor.

Receptors for the neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine peptides, vasoactive intesinal peptide (VIP) and secretin, both belong to the Type B subfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors. This group is evolutionally as well as structurally distinct from the much larger Type A, or rhodopsin-type, subfamily. We have mapped the ligand-activating epitopes of the human VIP1 receptor by the use of hybrid receptor constructs with the human secretin receptor. Twelve chimeras were synthesized the successively replacing portions of the former receptor with corresponding portions of the latter receptor, or by interchanging the first extracellular loops. Each of the different chimeric receptor DNAs were then expressed in murine reporter cells, and their ability to activate cAMP production was investigated on stimulation with the respective natural peptide ligands. We stimulated the reporter cells with secretion or VIP following transient expression of the receptor chimeras. The experiments indicated that there are two molecular domains of importance for the recognition and activation of these peptides, namely, the inner portion of the extracellular tail and the first extracellular loop of the two receptors.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗