title: Mapping of linear B-cell epitopes of the S2 subunit of pertussis toxin.
abstract: The linear immunogenic and antigenic structure of the S2 subunit of pertussis toxin was investigated with synthetic peptides corresponding to regions of the protein sequence predicted to contain surface-exposed hydrophilic beta turns. Five peptides as peptide-bovine serum albumin conjugates were recognized by anti-pertussis toxin antiserum and were thus designated "immunogenic epitopes." Two prominent immunogenic epitopes were specified by peptides corresponding to sequences spanning R107-120 and R186-199, whereas peptides corresponding to residues R35-50 and R91-106 were only bound in low titer. Three peptides as thyroglobulin conjugates elicited antisera in rabbits that bound intact pertussis toxin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot. These peptides were designated "antigenic epitopes." The most prominent antigenic determinant was localized to the N-terminal end of the S2 sequence encompassing residue R1-7. Peptides R35-50 and R91-106 represented two minor antigenic epitopes. Antisera to two additional peptides corresponding to residues R134-149 and R186-199 recognized the S2 subunit only by Western blotting (immunoblotting). Only antiserum raised against peptide R91-106 also recognized the S3 subunit by Western blotting, indicating a marked antigenic and probably also structural difference between the two highly homologous subunits.
authors: Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie, Universität Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Schmidt
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology; D010449:Peptide Mapping / Q000379:methods; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D011817:Rabbits; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000939:Epitopes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D037342:Pertussis Toxin