Antigenic and genetic characterization of the fusion (F) protein of mumps virus strains.

Twelve strains of mumps virus, belonging to the A, C and D genotypes of the small hydrophobic (SH) protein gene, were investigated by nucleotide sequencing of the fusion protein gene. The nucleotide sequences and deduced amino acid sequences were aligned and compared with previously reported sequences of the gene. In addition an antigenic comparison between the F protein of different strains of the A, C and D genotypes was performed with ten monoclonal antibodies directed against the F protein of genotype A. Phylogenetic analysis of the coding region of the F gene showed the expected clustering of the different genotypes, as previously determined from the SH protein gene. Comparison of the 538 long amino acid sequence of the protein showed that only a small number of amino acids differed between the viral strains. The A genotype differed from B, C and D whereas the latter showed fewer consistent amino acid differences between themselves. Nine of the ten monoclonal antibodies reacted with the C and D genotypes and one failed to react with these genotypes. It is concluded that the structure and antigenicity of the F protein is well conserved both intra- and intergenotypically over long periods of time.