Open AccessHepatitis B virus core antigen: synthesis in Escherichia coli and application in diagnosis.
Author(s) -
Stephen J. Stahl,
Patricia Mackay,
Marilyn Magazin,
Sandra Bruce,
Kenneth Murray
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.79.5.1606
Subject(s) - escherichia coli , plasmid , virology , antigen , biology , virus , microbiology and biotechnology , hepatitis b virus , enterobacteriaceae , pbr322 , gene , antibody , dna , genetics
Fragments of hepatitis B virus DNA cloned in plasmid pBR322 carrying the gene for the viral core antigen have been placed under the control of the lac promoter of Escherichia coli. Several of the new recombinants direct higher levels of synthesis of the antigen, but the degree of enhancement varies with the different structures of the plasmids and hence the mRNAs produced. The antigen in crude bacterial lysates is a satisfactory diagnostic reagent for antibodies to the core antigen in serum samples.