title: Antigens of hepatitis B virus: failure to detect HBeAg on the surfaces of HBsAg forms.
abstract: The particulate forms of HBsAg were analysed for the presence of HBeAG on their surfaces. By immunodiffusion analysis, anti-HBe did not form precipitin bands with the purified forms of HBSAg and hyperimmune guinea pig antisera to these forms did not react with HBeAg. Lines of non-identity were observed between the HBeAg determinants (e1 and e2) and the Dane particles and filaments isolated from an HBeAg-positive serum. Finally, anti-HBe failed to precipitate the polymerase-positive subpopulation of Dane particles, indicating that anti-HBe has no direct role in virus neutralization.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase