West Nile Virus Matrix Antibody

West Nile Virus Matrix Antibody: West Nile Virus (WNV) is a member of the Flaviviridae, a plus-stranded virus family that includes St. Louis encephalitis virus, yellow fever virus, and Dengue virus. WNV was initially isolated in 1937 in the West Nile region of Uganda and has become prevalent in Africa, Asia, and Europe. It has rapidly spread across the United States with cases being observed in every continental state. Virus particles consist of a dense core made up of the core/capsid protein encapsulating the RNA genome surrounded by a membrane envelope embedded with envelope and matrix proteins. However, when the viruses are inside of infected cells, the matrix protein exists in its "pre-M" form as a heterodimer with the envelope proteins. Cleavage of the "pre-M" protein to its mature form occurs during release of the virus; this cleavage leas to the dissociation of the heterodimers. The WNV receptor has recently been identified as alpha v beta 3 integrin.

West Nile Virus Matrix antibody can be stored at 4˚ C for three months and -20˚ C, stable for up to one year. As with all antibodies care should be taken to avoid repeated freeze thaw cycles. Antibodies should not be exposed to prolonged high temperatures.

West Nile virus matrix antibody can be used for the detection of the West Nile virus matrix precursor protein in ELISA. It will detect 10 ng of free peptide at 1 μ g/mL.

Wengler G and Wengler G. Cell-associated West Nile flavivirus is covered with E+pre-M protein heterodimers which are destroyed and reorganized by proteolytic cleavage during virus release. J. Virol. 1989; 2521-6.