protein structure IBV

Diagrammatic representation of proteins in the Infectious Bronchitis virus particle

spike protein

Model for the membrane associated peplomer or spike protein of IBV. The spike glycoprotein is made up of S1 and S2 subunits. (D. Cavanagh, 1983)

Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV)

Strains of IBV can also be classified based on genetic characteristics of the spike glycoprotein gene, which for the most part correlates with serotype.

Virus and Protein Structure

Four structural viral proteins designated S, M, E and N have been recognized

  • S – spike glycoprotein - virus attachment and neutralisation epitopes
  • M – membrane protein - integral membrane protein
  • E – envelope (small membrane) protein - important for virus assembly
  • N – nucleoprotein - surrounds and protects the viral RNA genome