Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of dengue virus: Identification of the key amino acid that is vital in DENV vaccine research.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of dengue virus (DENV) has critically restricted vaccine development. Prior research suggested pr4 as the probable ADE epitope of DENV.

Methods

Chimeric DENV was constructed by replacing the DENV pr4 gene with the corresponding Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) gene to determine whether it can reduce ADE activities. An alanine scanning method and bioinformatics analysis were utilized to identify the amino acid of pr4 that was crucial as an ADE epitope.

Results

Chimeric virus reduced ADE and virulence. The amino acids at the following locations on the mutant peptides showed significantly reduced binding ability to prM antibody: pr4.5 (position 5 - leucine), pr4.6 (position 6 - leucine), pr4.7 (position 7 - phenyalanin

SUBMITTER: Cui G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7900978 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature