Peptide structures and their use in the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus type 2

摘要

A multiply-displayed peptide structure is provided for the serodiagnosis of HSV-2 antibodies, preferably by ELISA. The structure has the formula (1): [(X1)p - 16aa sequence - (X2)q - Sp]n - core, wherein '16aa sequence' represents a sequence (SEQ ID NO: 68) (a), X?1 and X2¿ which may be the same or different represent from 1 to 6 non-interfering amino acid residues, which may be the same or different; Sp represents a spacer group extending outwardly from the core; n is at least 4; p is 0 or 1; q is 0 or 1; and the linkage between the core and the spacer group may be chemical or physical. Preferably p is 1, q is 1, X1 is Pro, n is 4, and the core is a branched lysine core, whereby the whole structure is a peptide. The monomeric peptides (X1)p - 16aa sequence - (X2)q - (Sp)r, where r is 0 or 1 and their functional derivatives are useful intermediates in preparing the above structures.