An epitope on the adenovirus fibre tail is common to all human subgroups

A group specific linear epitope with the sequence -FNPVY- was detected in the tail region of the adenovirus fibre by using a monoclonal antibody (Mab) and selection with a hexapeptide phage expression library. A synthetic peptide with sequence DTFNPVYPYDTE from adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) was shown by preincubation with the Mab to block its binding to fibre. A biotinylated form of this peptide bound to the monomeric fibre and not to the dimeric and trimeric forms, On the other hand the monoclonal antibodies bound to the monomeric, dimeric and trimeric forms of the fibre.