Synthetic peptide constructs on the basis of immunoactive fragments of theA(22) strain VP1 of the foot-and-mouth disease virus

Peptide constructs consisting of 44-53 aa were synthesized on the basis of sequences 135-159, 170-190 and 197-213 of VP1 from the foot-and-mouth disea se A(22) strain. Immunogenic and protective properties of the peptide const ructs were studied in guinea pigs and mice of three lines. The constructs w ere shown to induce higher levels of antibodies and exhibit higher protecti ve effects than the separate peptides. The most active among the peptides s tudied was the construct involving the VP1 fragments 135-160 and 170-190: i t protected pigs from the experimental infection by the foot-and-mouth dise ase virus.