Mapping of functional domains on the influenza A virus RNA polymerase PB2 molecule using monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies against the PB2 of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (A/PR/8/34) (H1 N1) were prepared in order to define the functional domains of the RNA poly merase of influenza virus. The fifteen monoclonal antibodies that were gene rated were divided into 4 groups on the basis of ELISA binding to PB2 or it s peptide fragments. Six Group I antibodies that bound to the PB2 N-termina l region (amino acids 1-104) did not inhibit transcription by the viral rib onucleoprotein complex. A single Group II antibody recognizing the region o f amino acids 206-259 inhibited ApG-primed transcription. Groups III and IV antibodies bound to the C-terminal region of amino acids 660-759. Of these , Group III antibodies inhibited transcription. The present results identif y multiple monoclonal antibody binding domains in PB2, two of which, when b ound by antibodies, negatively affect viral RNA transcription.