Antigenic mimicry of an immunoglobulin A epitope by a hepatitis B virus cell attachment site.
The preS(21-47) sequence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein is involved in binding of the virus to cell receptors. A protein similarity search revealed a partial homology between this sequence and a segment of the human immunoglobulin A (IgA) heavy chain constant region, suggesting that the cell attachment site for HBV might be located on secretory component representing a receptor for polymeric IgA. Data presented herein do not support this hypothesis but provide evidence for immunological cross-reactivity between IgA and the preS(21-47) region of the HBV env protein.
Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York 10021.
A R
AR
Neurath
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N
Strick
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000276:immunology*; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D000939:Epitopes; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D011991:Receptors, Virus