DNA sequences of hCMV are obtained by restriction of the hCMV genome, the resulting fragments free of fragments cross-hybridizing with human DNA and other viruses may be used for hybridization with clinical samples suspected of containing hCMV to provide a sensitive method for detection of hCMV at low particle number.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 004,291 filed Jan. 5, 1987, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,780 issued Aug. 9, 1988 which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 601,094, filed Apr. 17, 1984, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 438,662, filed Nov. 2, 1982, now abandoned.
The invention relates to a DNA sequence which encodes three specific human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) peptides of the pp150 protein. These peptides are shown to have novel immunogenic properties. The DNA sequence is also used in a method of hybridization for the detection of fully complementary sequences.
The present invention provides recombinant polypeptides derived from CMV glycoprotein gB and truncated fragments thereof which contain at least one epitope which is immunologically identifiable with one encoded by the CMV genome. The complete characterization of the gB protein, including the identity of glycoprotein gp55, permits the production of polypeptides which are useful as standards or reagents in diagnostic tests and/or as components of vaccines. This invention provides recombinant polypeptides and recombinant polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides wherein a neutralizing epitope of gB is localized within gp55.
