Cloning and Expression of Genes for Dengue Virus Type-2 Encoded-Antigens forRapid Diagnosis and Vaccine Development

摘要

The complete sequence of dengue virus type 2 (New Guinea strain C) has beendetermined. The genome is 10,723 nucleotides long. The organization of the genome is similar to that of yellow fever virus. The neutralization epitope of a monoclonal antibody 3H5 has been mapped to a region of 12 amino acids QLKLNWFKKGSS located in E protein of DEN-2 virus. The antibodies raised against this peptide can neutralize the infectivity of the virus, although these results need to be confirmed. The peptide antisera can mimic 3H5 in other tests. The peptide also reacts with 3H5 with specificity. We have obtained experimental evidence which demonstrate more directly that the 3'-terminus of DEN-2 RNA has the potential to form secondary structure in solution. This finding has important implications for flavivirus replication.