Antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide enable detection of a protein encoded by a vaccinia virus host range gene that is conserved within the Orthopoxvirus genus.
A vaccinia virus gene required for multiplication in some cell lines but not in others has been previously isolated and sequenced. A synthetic peptide predicted from the nucleotide sequence and corresponding to the carboxy-terminal 18 amino acids was used to raise antibodies in rabbits. The immune serum enabled detection of a 29-kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide by either immunoprecipitation or Western immunoblot assays. Synthesis of the 29-kDa polypeptide occurred immediately after infection and lasted for about 3 h. Shutoff of its synthesis was concomitant with the appearance of a delayed early polypeptide that may be antigenically related to the 29-kDa polypeptide. Analysis of cloned segments of the genomes of other orthopoxviruses by hybridization with the vaccinia virus host range gene demonstrates that it is well conserved within this genus.
Gillard
S
S
Laboratoire de Virologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France.
Spehner
D
D
Drillien
R
R
Kirn
A
A
D005814:Genes, Viral; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology; D011212:Poxviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013045:Species Specificity; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D009842:Oligopeptides; D014764:Viral Proteins