Nucleotide sequence analysis of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E epitope coding regions

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein E [gE] contains 623 amino acid re sidues. Fifty percent of the gE gene, codons 39 to 344 that encompasses two epitope coding regions el and cl, was sequenced and analyzed for variation among the 30 VZV isolates. A total of eleven isolates showed variance when compared with Dumas VZV strain sequence through base substitutions, with t wo isolates showing an amino acid change of tryptophan to arginine outside the coding regions of the epitopes el and cl that are recognized by monoclo nal antibodies 4F9 and c1, respectively. The results suggest that these epi topes were stable in the various VZV isolates. Thus, VZV glycoproteins with conserved epitopes are suitable candidates for both primary and booster va ccines. 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.