Mapping of epitopes on the 65k DNA-binding protein of herpes simplex virus type 1.

Previously we have described the isolation of seven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and two polyvalent rabbit sera directed against the product of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gene UL42, a 65K DNA-binding protein (65KDBP) which is essential for HSV DNA replication and virus growth. We now report the synthesis of all 483 overlapping hexapeptides of this 488 amino acid protein and describe their use for the identification of epitopes recognized by these MAbs and polyvalent sera. MAb 6898, derived from one fusion, recognizes the peptides EDLDGA and DLDGAA which correspond to amino acids 363 to 369 of 65KDBP. MAbs Z4D4, Z6F3, Z1A8, Z10Cl, Z3H12 and Z1F11, derived from a second fusion, all recognize the peptides GDPEDL and DPEDLD which correspond to amino acids 360 to 366. As expected both polyvalent sera recognize several different epitopes.