Observations on the core particle of hepatitis B virus and the DNA polymerase associated with hepatitis B antigen.
Several methods are presented for the purification of core particles of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from nuclei of infected human hepatocytes. No endogenous DNA polymerase activity was found in any of the preparations of core particles even when circular double and single stranded DNAs were used as exogenous templates. The DNA polymerase activity associated with serum HB Ag was not stimulated by circular DNAs. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at concentrations of greater than or equal to 0.1% inhibited the DNA polymerase activity of serum HB Ag. Exogenous templates such as native and activated calf thymus and Micrococcus lysodeikticus DNAs did not stimulate the DNA polymerase of serum HB Ag even in the presence of low concentrations of SDS. It is suggested that the DNA polymerase associated the HB Ag is specific for its own DNA as template.
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000276:immunology; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000032:analysis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D011817:Rabbits; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013698:Templates, Genetic
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases