West Nile Virus (WNV) Research Reagents — Antibodies & Recombinant Proteins

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne, enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA flavivirus (~11 kb genome) transmitted primarily by Culex mosquitoes, with birds as the natural reservoir and humans as incidental dead-end hosts. WNV infection is mostly asymptomatic, but approximately 1 in 150 infections causes neuroinvasive disease (encephalitis, meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis) with significant morbidity and mortality. The WNV genome encodes a single polyprotein cleaved into three structural proteins — capsid (C), premembrane (prM), and envelope (E) — and seven non-structural proteins (NS1–NS5). The envelope protein E, particularly domain III (DIII), is the primary target for neutralizing antibodies, while NS1 is the key diagnostic biomarker used in IgM/IgG serology and antigen-capture assays.

Research Use OnlyNot for diagnostic or therapeutic use.

abinScience offers West Nile virus reagents targeting envelope protein E (DI-DII and DIII domains) and NS1, including recombinant neutralizing antibodies, recombinant NS1 proteins in multiple tag formats, and polyclonal detection antibodies. Manufactured by AtaGenix Laboratories (ISO 9001 & ISO 13485). Contact us for custom conjugations and antibody pair recommendations.

Key Research Targets

Envelope Protein E (DI-DII & DIII)
The E protein mediates receptor binding and membrane fusion and is the primary target for neutralizing antibodies. Domain III (DIII) contains the receptor-binding site and is the most important neutralization epitope. abinScience provides recombinant antibodies targeting distinct E protein domains:
• Anti-E DIII clone E16 (VK554053) — targets the lateral ridge of DIII, the most potent neutralizing epitope. E16 is one of the best-characterized WNV-neutralizing antibodies in the literature (Nybakken et al., Nature 2005).
• Anti-E DI-DII clone E53 (VK554043) — targets the fusion loop region in DI-DII, cross-reactive with multiple flaviviruses.
• Anti-GP1/polyprotein clones VK554013, VK554023, and VK554033 — recombinant antibodies targeting the WNV polyprotein/GP1 region.

Non-structural Protein 1 (NS1)
NS1 is a secreted glycoprotein that serves as the primary diagnostic biomarker for WNV infection. Serum NS1 levels correlate with viremia and disease severity. NS1 is also an important immune evasion factor that inhibits complement activation. abinScience provides NS1 recombinant proteins in three tag formats for assay development and as ELISA coating antigens:
• NS1 C-His (VK554011) — suitable for ELISA plate coating and pull-down assays
• NS1 N-His (VK554012) — N-terminal His-tag, alternative orientation for epitope exposure
• NS1 C-Fc (VK554021) — Fc-fusion format for enhanced stability and Protein A purification
• Anti-NS1 polyclonal antibody (VK554014) — for NS1 detection by WB, ELISA, and IHC

Frequently Asked Questions

Which antibody clone is best for WNV neutralization assays?
Clone E16 (VK554053) targeting E protein DIII is the most potent and best-characterized WNV-neutralizing antibody. It binds the lateral ridge epitope on DIII and effectively blocks viral attachment to host cells. For studies requiring cross-flavivirus reactivity, clone E53 (VK554043) targets the conserved fusion loop in DI-DII.

Which NS1 protein format should I use for ELISA development?
For direct plate coating, C-His NS1 (VK554011) is recommended as the His-tag at C-terminus minimally interferes with antibody binding. For capture-based assays requiring oriented immobilization, C-Fc NS1 (VK554021) can be captured via anti-Fc or Protein A-coated plates.

Do your WNV antibodies cross-react with other flaviviruses?
Clone E53 (DI-DII fusion loop) shows cross-reactivity with DENV, ZIKV, JEV, and other flaviviruses. Clone E16 (DIII lateral ridge) is WNV-specific with minimal cross-reactivity. Choose based on your assay requirements — E16 for WNV-specific detection, E53 for pan-flavivirus studies.

Related Flavivirus Reagents

Explore reagents for related flaviviruses:

Dengue virus (DENV) Zika virus (ZIKV) Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) West Nile virus (WNV) ✓ Yellow fever virus (YFV)