HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mansfield, K. L. Articles by Fooks, A. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mansfield, K. L. Articles by Fooks, A. R. Agricola Articles by Mansfield, K. L. Articles by Fooks, A. R.

Identification of a conserved linear epitope at the N terminus of the rabies virus glycoprotein

Rabies Research and Diagnostic Group (WHO Collaborating Centre), Veterinary Laboratories Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK

Correspondence
N. Johnson
n.johnson2{at}vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk

A novel, linear B-cell epitope has been identified at the N terminus of the rabies virus (RABV) glycoprotein. Screening of a phage-display library demonstrated that two glycoprotein-specific mAbs recognized a conserved sequence, WxxxDI, which aligned between aa 14 and 19 of the mature glycoprotein. Screening of truncated glycoprotein fragments with both mAbs confirmed the location of the epitope in the N-terminal region. Alignment of amino acid sequences from a range of RABV isolates indicated that the site was conserved in most viruses. Alignment with representatives of other lyssaviruses suggested that it is conserved within phylogroup I, which includes the European bat lyssaviruses, but not phylogroup II. A 12 aa synthetic peptide of this epitope was recognized by both mAbs and sera from a subset of rabies-vaccinated dogs. In a multimeric form, the peptide could induce an epitope-specific response following immunization in rabbits and mice.