TBEVFE

TBEVFE is a designation used in some virology literature to refer to the envelope protein E of Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). In this usage, TBEVFE denotes the surface glycoprotein that mediates host cell attachment and entry. TBEV is a member of the Flaviviridae family and causes tick-borne encephalitis, a serious central nervous system infection transmitted by Ixodes ticks in Europe and Asia.

Genetically, TBEV carries a positive-sense RNA genome encoding a single polyprotein, which is processed into structural proteins C, prM/M, and E, along with nonstructural proteins. The E protein forms the virion’s surface spikes and serves as the primary determinant of cell entry. It functions in receptor binding and a pH-triggered conformational change that drives fusion of viral and endosomal membranes. The protein comprises domains I–III, with domain III commonly implicated in receptor interactions and neutralizing antibody binding.

Antibodies targeting the E protein are major components of protective immunity and are widely used in diagnostic assays and vaccines. Variation in the E protein sequence among TBEV strains can influence virulence, tissue tropism, and antigenicity, affecting cross-protection among subtypes.

Research on TBEVFE centers on structure–function analyses, antigenicity, and vaccine design, including subunit vaccines based on the E protein and monoclonal antibodies targeting E. The term is not universally standardized and may be encountered primarily in specific research contexts.