Lassa Fever virus is an enveloped virus with glycoprotein spikes on its surface. The Lassa Fever virus glycoprotein is synthesized as a 76kD glycosylated precursor protein (GP-C), which is posttranslationally cleaved into the N-terminal 44kD subunit GP1 and the membrane bound 36kD subunit Lassa Fever virus GP2. It is thought that GP2 mediates pH-dependent fusion of the viral envelope with the cellular target membrane.
Lassa fever is a severe and sometimes fatal hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa fever virus (LAFV). First identified in 1969 in Nigeria, LAFV is an enveloped single stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus mammarenavirus, of the Arenaviridae family of viruses. The natural reservoir for LAFV is the Mastomys natalensis rat, and transmission of LAFV to humans is through contact with contaminated rat urine and feces. The virus is also spread from person-to-person via contact with contaminated human excreta, blood and bodily secretions, which causes a significant risk to health workers. LAFV is now endemic in West Africa and a significant outbreak of Lassa fever in 2016 resulted in 160 deaths.
Most individuals infected with LAFV remain asymptomatic but severe disease may occur in 15% of cases, with 1% of cases resulting in death. Symptoms of LAFV infection are variable, and non-specific, making early diagnosis difficult. The symptoms associated with Lassa fever range from mild fever, with headaches and fatigue, to severe life threatening multi organ failure. Early stages of the disease resemble symptoms of typhoid and malaria and therefore misdiagnosis is a risk (WHO).
Source:Recombinant protein corresponding to Lassa Fever Virus GP2 Protein, fused to a C-terminal sheep IgG Fc-tag, expressed in HEK293 cells.
Molecular Weight:~23kD
Applications:Suitable for use in ELISA. Other applications not tested.
Recommended Dilution:Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher.
Storage and Stability:May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for 6 months after receipt at -20°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.
