Localization of a new neutralizing epitope on the mumps virus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein

Four protein fragments which span the entire hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein (HN) of mumps virus were expressed in HeLa cells and cell extracts were tested for their capability to induce neutralizing antibodies in mice. Fragment HN3 (aa 213-372) was able to induce the production of hemagglutination-inhibiting and neutralizing antibodies. When a subfragment of HN3, the synthetic peptide NSTLGVKSAREF (aa 329-340 of HN) was used for immunization, hemagglutination-inhibiting and neutralizing antibodies against mumps wild type virus but not against the Urabe Am9 vaccine virus were raised. The peptide could, therefore, contain a new epitope, which may be critical for protective host humoral immune response. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.