Analysis of the epitopes on staphylococcal enterotoxin A responsible for emetic activity

To identify which region of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is responsib le for the emetic activity, twelve synthetic peptides corresponding to the entire SEA amino acid sequence and their respective anti-peptide antibodies were prepared and tested. The anti-peptide antibodies were tested for neut ralization of SEA-induced emesis in Suncus murinus (Shrew mouse). The resul ts indicate that SEA-induced emesis was neutralized by the mixture of three anti-peptide antibodies to A-7 (corresponding to amino acid residues 121-1 40), A-X (141-160) and A-9 (160-180). These findings suggest that the regio ns corresponding to residues 121-180 may be the epitopes responsible for th e emetic activity of SEA.