Prediction of Conformational and Linear B-Cell Epitopes on Envelop Protein of Zika Virus Using Immunoinformatics Approach

Kirti Srivastava; Vivek Srivastava

doi:10.1007/s10989-022-10486-y

Prediction of Conformational and Linear B-Cell Epitopes on Envelop Protein of Zika Virus Using Immunoinformatics Approach

Int J Pept Res Ther. 2023;29(1):17. doi: 10.1007/s10989-022-10486-y. Epub 2023 Jan 9.

Authors

Kirti Srivastava¹, Vivek Srivastava¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rama University Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, India.

Abstract

The current spread of Zika virus infection in India has become a public health issue due to the virus's possible link to birth abnormalities and neurological disorders. There is a need for enhanced vaccines or drugs as a result of its epidemic outbreak and the lack of potential medication. B-cell mediated adaptive immunity is capable of developing pathogen-specific memory that confers immunological protection. Therefore, in this study, the envelope protein of the Zika virus was retrieved from the NCBI protein database. The ABCpred and BepiPred software were used to discover linear B-cell epitopes on envelope protein. Conformational B-cell epitopes on envelope protein were identified using SEPPA 3.0 and Ellipro tools. Predicted B-cell epitopes were evaluated for allergenicity, toxicity, and antigenicity. Two consensus linear B-cell epitopes, envelope_165-180 (AKVEITPNSPRAEATL) and envelope_224-238 (PWHAGADTGTPHWNN) were identified using ABCpred and BepiPredtools. SEPPA 3.0 and Elliprotools predicted consensus conformational envelope_98-110 (DRGWGNGCGLFGK) and envelope_248-251 (AHAK) epitopes and one residue (⁷⁵PRO) within envelope protein as a component of B-cell epitopes. These predicted linear and conformational B-cell epitopes will help in designing peptide vaccines that will activate the humoral response. However, in-vitro and in-vivo laboratory experimental confirmations are still needed to prove the application's feasibility.

Keywords: B-cell epitopes; Envelop protein; Immunoinformatics; Vaccine; Zika virus.

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2023, Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.