Production and Characterization of Two Specific ZIKV Antigens Based on Bioinformatic Analysis and Serological Screening

ABSTRACT

Background

The high structural similarity between the Zika virus (ZIKV) and other flaviviruses, such as Dengue Virus (DENV), complicates the identification of the infecting virus due to the occurrence of cross-reactions in serological assays. This phenomenon has increased the demand for more specific antigens for immunodiagnostic applications.

Methods

The present work aimed to identify specific regions of ZIKV and produce unique antigens through computational methods, molecular and microbiological techniques.

Results

Based on the computational analysis we successfully expressed two recombinant proteins derived from specific regions of the ZIKV. Through serological assays using characterized sera, we observed that the region 146–182 of ZIKV’s E protein, expressed in tandem, was not reactive despite the predictive sensitivity and specificity observed by computer analyses. On the other hand, the non-denatured fraction 220–352 of ZIKV’s NS1 showed greater specificity to IgG+ sera of ZIKV by dot blot and western blot, which highlights its properties as a possible tool in the diagnosis of ZIKV.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that ZIKV NS1 fraction 220–352 is a potential tool that may be applied in the development of serological diagnosis. We also provided data that suggest the non-applicability of the region 146–182 of ZIKV’s protein E in serological assays despite previous indications about its potential based on computational analysis.

KEYWORDS:

• Immunodiagnosis
• peptides
• specificity
• Zika virus

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the team of the Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology (LABIMUNO) for the advice and technical support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical committee

The project was accepted on resolution No. 466/2012 of the National Health Council, approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) with Certificate number of Presentation for Ethical Assessment (CAAE): 4583115.9.0000.0046 and opinion number: 1421905.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08820139.2023.2195432

Additional information

Funding

This project was financially supported by the Brazilian agencies: Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)