Molecular basis for linkage of a continuous and discontinuous neutralization epitope on the structural polypeptide VP2 of poliovirus type 1

We obtained neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against a continuous neutralization epitope on VP2 of poliovirus type 1 strain Mahoney by using a combined in vivo-in vitro immunization procedure. The antibody-binding site was mapped to amino acid residues within the peptide segment (residues 164 through 170) of VP2 by competition with synthetic peptide and sequencing of resistant mutants. Cross-neutralization of these mutants with another neutralizing monoclonal antibody revealed a linkage of the continuous epitope and a discontinuous neutralization epitope involving both loops of the double-loop structure of VP2 at the twofold axis on the surface of the virion.