Antigenic analysis of African measles virus field isolates: identification and localisation of one conserved and two variable epitope sites on the NP protein.
Measles virus isolates from epidemics in the Cameroons (1983) and Gabon (1984) were analysed by a panel of monoclonal antibodies against four of the virion proteins. We observed no antigenic variation in the haemagglutinin, the fusion glycoprotein, or in the matrix protein. However, both inter- and intra-epidemic variation was observed in the nucleoprotein (NP). On the basis of strain reactivity and a competition binding assay, three epitopic sites were designated on the NP. One site was found on all the measles virus strains examined, whereas the other two were variable. Examination of proteolytic cleavage of the NP in situ (on the ribonucleoparticle) showed that the conserved site is located on a large fragment which remains bound to the viral genome. The peptide removed by proteolysis contained the two variable epitopes. The variability of the NP is discussed in relationship to its biological activity.
Giraudon
P
P
Unité de Virologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, I.N.S.E.R.M., Groupe de Recherche UA 613-C.N.R.S., Lyon, France.
Jacquier
M F
MF
Wild
T F
TF
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002163:Cameroon; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005681:Gabon; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D014709:Vero Cells; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins