BACKGROUNDTo characterize the intertype epitopes on human adenovirus (HAdV) hexon.

METHODSBased on computerized analysis on adenoviruses sequence of genomic alignment, antigenicity prediction and 3-D structure characteristics of hexon subunit, several peptides of hexon of adenoviruses were chosen to be synthesized or recombinant proteins of the hexon were expressed in E. coli by use of PGEX-5X. To identify the existence of intertype epitopes, the antisera raised with synthetic peptides or purified recombinant proteins were analyzed with Western blot and immunofluorescent assay.

RESULTSThe results of Western blot indicated that both peptide and recombinant antibodies showed specific reactivities with hexons of HADv-3, 4, 7 individually. Meanwhile, typical stain of immunofluorescence was found on HeLa cells infected with these HAdV by incubation with peptide as well as recombinant antibodies. Also, antibodies raised against peptide recognized the recombinant hexon protein in which a corresponding region of peptides was covered.

CONCLUSIONSMost of the predicted intertype epitopes of HAdV hexon wer e exclusively found in synthetic peptides and recombinant proteins. These intertype epitopes showed to be continuous and sequential which could be employed for development of antibodies of diagnostic use.