Antigenic and genetic variation of the HN protein of mumps virus strains.

The relationships between different strains of mumps virus were established by determination of the sequence of the HN gene. They closely resemble those established from other portions of the genome, suggesting that the viruses are not recombinants over the areas examined. The relationships were consistent with those established by reaction with monoclonal antibodies raised against the Urabe strain, which has a similar antigenic structure to previously studied laboratory strains, and largely consistent with the specificity of the serological response of naturally infected or vaccinated human subjects.