| abstract |
Peptides are prepared which are capable of reacting immunologically with antibodies to native proteins, having at least two cysteine residues which help simulate an epitope of the protein, with thiol protected groups of cysteine. When unprotected, these peptides exhibit increased immunoreactivity. These peptides are particularly useful for detecting antibodies or antigens associated with retroviruses, including the lymphotropic retroviruses HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-I and HTLV-II, which are of particular clinical importance. |