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 t he tail region of the adenovirus fibre by using a monoclonal antibody (Mab) and selection with a hexapeptide phage expression library. A synthetic pep tide with sequence DTFNPVYPYDTE from adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) was shown by p reincubation with the Mab to block its binding to fibre. A biotinylated for m of this peptide bound to the monomeric fibre and not to the dimeric and t rimeric forms, On the other hand the monoclonal antibodies bound to the mon omeric, dimeric and trimeric forms of the fibre.