Location of antigenic sites recognized by monoclonal antibodies in the influenza A virus nucleoprotein molecule.

ABSTRACT: The locations of amino acid positions relevant to antigenic variation in the nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza virus are not conclusively known. We analysed the antigenic structure of influenza A virus NP by introducing site-specific mutations at amino acid positions presumed to be relevant for the differentiation of strain differences by anti-NP monoclonal antibodies. Mutant proteins were expressed in a prokaryotic system and analysed by performing ELISA with monoclonal antibodies. Four amino acid residues were found to determine four different antibody-binding sites. When mapped in a 3D X-ray model of NP, the four antigenically relevant amino acid positions were found to be located in separate physical sites of the NP molecule.

SUBMITTER: Varich NL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2889452 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature