MOLECULAR MARKERS BASED ON NUCLEOTIDE AND AMINO ACID SUBSTITUTIONS IN THE N AND G GENES OF INDONESIAN RABIES VIRUS FOR VARIANT IDENTIFICATION AND ANTIGENICITY EVALUATION

Abstract

This invention concerns molecular markers based on nucleotide and amino acid substitutions in the nucleoprotein and glycoprotein genes of the Indonesian rabies virus that are used for variant identification and antigenicity evaluation. These molecular markers are obtained through analysis of specific changes in the nucleotide and amino acid sequences in the N and G genes of the Indonesian natural strain of rabies virus by comparing them to reference sequences. The identified substitutions are used as a basis for distinguishing rabies virus variants, mapping genetic variations between isolates, and evaluating potential differences in the antigenic properties of the rabies virus. These molecular markers can be applied in molecular surveillance activities, monitoring the evolution of the rabies virus, and as a basis for evaluating antigenic compatibility with reference strains or rabies vaccine strains.This invention provides a more specific and efficient approach in the genetic characterization of the Indonesian rabies virus compared to previous methods that have not utilized nucleotide and amino acid substitution markers in an integrated manner.