Combinatorial epitope search: Pitfalls of library design

Borrelia burgodorferi flagellin epitopes of various formats were presented on a TentaGel support. ELISA binding assays of these epitopes showed that a flexible linker, β-Ala-β-Ala, was better than a rigid linker, Pro-Pro, for peptide-antibody recognition. The previously reported 12-mer epitope was optimally minimized to a hexamer. Abstract Borrelia burgodorferi flagellin epitopes of various formats were presented on a TentaGel support. ELISA binding assays of these epitopes showed that a flexible linker, β-Ala-β-Ala, was better than a rigid linker, Pro-Pro, for peptide-antibody recognition. The previously reported 12-mer epitope was optimally minimized to a hexamer.