Six overlapping fragments of the Aleutian Mink Disease parvo Virus (AMDV) v
irion protein VPI and 2 (VP1/ 2) gene were inserted into the expression vec
tor pMAL-c2. Four of the clones carried large overlapping fragments coverin
g the entire VP1/2 gene. The remaining two clones covered specifically chos
en regions within the VP1/2 gene. Using a Western blotting detection system
, sera from AMDV-infected mink were tested against the recombinant polypept
ides. These studies showed reactions primarily directed against the two AMD
V polypeptides ranging from amino acids 297 to 518. Weaker reactions agains
t other regions of the VP1/2 were also observed. The small fusion protein d
esigned to cover the presumed AMDV VP1/2 loop 4 was purified by affinity ch
romatography and used to develop solid-phase immunoassays. Twelve small syn
thetic peptides were constructed and used as inhibitors. A peptide covering
amino acids S428 to T448 was shown to block the reactivity of a pool of po
sitive mink sera, indicating the presence of one dominant linear epitope.