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The HBV HBX gene expressed in E. coli is recognised by sera from hepatitis patients.
Author(s) -
Kay A.,
Mandart E.,
Trepo C.,
Galibert F.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1985.tb03774.x
Subject(s) - biology , hbx , virology , gene , hepatitis b virus , hepatitis b , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , virus
We have cloned the X gene (HBx) and the HBc antigen (HBc Ag) gene of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Escherichia coli as fusion products with beta‐galactosidase. Both HBV genes are expressed in E. coli strain CSR 603. Expression is detected by u.v. irradiation of the bacteria, metabolic labelling and electrophoresis of the labelled extracts on SDS‐polyacrylamide gels. The HBc Ag protein produced in bacteria can be recognised by anti‐HBc sera and peptides derived from the protein are also recognised by anti‐HBe sera. The HBx protein is recognised by some, but not all, sera which are anti‐HBe positive. HBx Ag is also recognised by a woodchuck antibody similar to anti‐HBe (anti‐WHe). These results constitute the first proof that the open reading frame X is a true viral gene and is expressed during HBV (and WHV) infection and that an HBx/anti‐HBx system, which may have important biological implications, can exist in parallel with the classic HBe/anti‐HBe system.