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J Virol. 1984 May; 50(2): 335-342

Expression of hepatitis B antigens with a simian virus 40 vector.

ABSTRACT

Recombinant DNA molecules consisting of the simian virus 40 (SV40) early region and different subgenomic hepatitis B virus DNA fragments were constructed in vitro and packaged in vivo into SV40 capsids by using a complementing SV40 helper virus. Upon infection with these virus stocks the three known hepatitis B-specific antigens were expressed under SV40 control. The surface antigen was released into the medium, and the core antigen and its derivative hepatitis B e antigen were only detected intracellularly. Size analysis of the core gene product(s) by immunoblotting revealed the presence of a single protein species identical with the 21-kilodalton core antigen isolated from human liver. The hepatitis B core antigen expressing construct did not contain a putative precore sequence, indicating that such a sequence is not needed for hepatitis B core antigen synthesis in animal cells. S1 analysis demonstrated the use of SV40 signals for initiation and polyadenylation of the core gene transcripts. In addition, a processing-polyadenylation signal was identified within the core gene.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Will, H, Salfeld, J, Pfaff, E, Manso, C, Theilmann, L, Schaler, H (1986). Putative reverse transcriptase intermediates of human hepatitis B virus in primary liver carcinomas. Science 231: 594-596 [Abstract]