Application of monoclonal antibodies for the identification of the antigenic site for poliovirus neutralization.

Antigenic mutants of type 3 poliovirus were obtained by picking plaques formed in the presence of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. All the mutants were clustered into a single operationally defined antigenic site based on their reactions with a panel of antibodies. Most of the mutations were shown to be located in the virion protein VP1 by SDS-PAGE and oligonucleotide mapping and fifteen of sixteen mutants had single point mutations in a region of VP1 encompassing only eight amino acids, suggesting that this is a major target for the neutralization of the virus. While other areas may also be required, it is likely that this region is a necessary component of a vaccine of any kind.