Application of a Chimeric Synthetic Peptide in the Development of a Serologic Method for the Diagnosis of Hepatitis G Virus Infection

Abstract

New putative antigenic peptides corresponding to the N- and C-terminal of the E2 envelope protein of GBV-C/HGV were synthesized using solid-phase chemistry. The antigens were obtained in linear and chimeric forms with the main aim of improving the sensitivity of the enzyme immunoassays. Furthermore, CD and FTIR have been used in conjunction to characterize their conformational changes showing that the chimeric peptide presents a more ordered secondary structure than its parent peptides.

The GB viruses: a review and proposed classification of GBV-A, GBV-C (HGV), and GBV-D in genus Pegivirus within the family Flaviviridae

“…Unlike HCV, which elicits antibodies to several viral proteins during viraemia that usually persist throughout infection (Baumert et al , 2000), GBV-C/HGV antibodies are not generally detected during viraemia, although some studies have reported the detection of anti-GBV-C/HGV peptide reactivity (Fernandez-Vidal et al , 2007; Gomara et al , 2010; Pilot-Matias et al , 1996b; Schwarze-Zander et al , 2006; Tan et al , 1999; Van der Bij et al , 2005; Xiang et al , 1998). Following clearance of GBV-C/HGV viraemia, most individuals develop conformation-dependent antibodies to the envelope glycoprotein E2, and thus E2 antibody serves as a marker of prior infection (Barnes et al , 2007; Gutierrez et al , 1997; McLinden et al , 2006; Nakatsuji et al , 1992; Pilot-Matias et al , 1996a; Tacke et al , 1997; Tanaka et al , 1998).…”

Study of the interaction of GB virus C/Hepatitis G virus fusion peptides belonging to the E2 protein with phospholipid Langmuir monolayers

“…The syntheses of peptides E2 (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), E2 (354-363) as well as a chimeric sequence were previously described [16][17][18]. Physicochemical properties of these peptides, such as net charge at pH 7.4, isoelectric point and Grand Average of Hydropathicity (GRAVY) were predicted using the Expasy-ProtParamprogram [27].…”

“…All the studied peptides are positively charged at pH 7.4, although the E2 (354-367) peptide has a net charge slightly more positive (higher isoelectric point) than the others. The GRAVY of the E2 (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26) peptide is negative, indicating its hydrophilicity. However, E2 (354-363) is highly hydrophobic as compared with the other two peptides.…”

“…The behaviour of E2 (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26) pure monolayer was already studied in a previous article [16] using phosphate buffer saline (PBS) of pH 7.4 as a subphase. However, in the present work we have preferred to use HEPES instead of PBS, to avoid the potential presence of phosphate crystals in the PBS buffer, which could interfere the results.…”

“…To get further insight into the GBV-C E2 mediated fusion and examine properties of this protein, we have published some articles using related peptides, one of them corresponding to the amine-terminus part, E2 (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26) [16], and another one corresponding to the carboxy-terminal, E2 (354-363) [17]. In addition, a chimeric sequence comprising the peptides E2 (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26) and E2 (354-363) was previously synthesized with the aim of obtaining a new putative antigenic peptide [18]. On the other hand, it is known that the fusion process of the virus and biological membranes plays a vital and important role in many cellular processes [19,20].…”