Three major glycoprotein genes of varicella-zoster virus whose products have neutralization epitopes.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) codes for approximately eight glycosylated polypeptides in infected cell cultures and in virions. To determine the number of serologically distinct glycoprotein gene products encoded by VZV, we have developed murine monoclonal antibodies to purified virions. Of 10 monoclonal antibodies which can immunoprecipitate intracellular VZV antigens and virion glycoproteins, 1 (termed gA) reacted with gp105, 1 (termed gB) reacted with gp115 (intracellular only), gp62, and gp57, and 8 (termed gC) reacted with gp92, gp83, gp52, and gp45. The anti-gA monoclonal antibody neutralized VZV infectivity in the absence of complement. All eight anti-gC monoclonal antibodies neutralized only in the presence of complement. An anti-gB monoclonal antibody obtained from another laboratory also neutralizes in the absence of complement. Since the above reactivities account for all major detectable VZV glycoprotein species, the data strongly suggest that VZV has three major glycoprotein genes which encode glycosylated polypeptides with neutralization epitopes.