title: Design and synthesis of an antigenic mimic of the Ebola glycoprotein.
abstract: An antigenic mimic of the Ebola glycoprotein was synthesized and tested for its ability to be recognized by an anti-Ebola glycoprotein antibody. Epitope-mapping procedures yielded a suitable epitope that, when presented on the surface of a nanoparticle, forms a structure that is recognized by an antibody specific for the native protein. This mimic-antibody interaction has been quantitated through ELISA and QCM-based methods and yielded an affinity (K(d) = 12 × 10(-6) M) within two orders of magnitude of the reported affinity of the native Ebola glycoprotein for the same antibody. These results suggest that the rational design approach described herein is a suitable method for the further development of protein-based antigenic mimics with potential applications in vaccine development and sensor technology.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University, Department of Chemistry, Nashville, Tennessee 37235.
authors.forename: Ryan D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Rutledge
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Huffman
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Cliffel
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Wright