title: [Structure and expression of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen].
abstract: In view of the growing occurrence rate of the virus-induced hepatitis B and also of the special role played by this particular virus (HBV) in the application of recombinant genetic techniques to the study of complex biological systems, an attempt was made to survey the available evidence concerning the widely investigated and practically the most important part of the viral genome, viz. the gene coding for the surface antigen (HBsAg) and the protein itself. The possible antigenic structure of the protein was investigated using data on the primary structure of 11 cloned HBsAg gene variants and on the synthesis of peptides simulating its immunological properties. Special emphasis was placed on quantitative assessment of antigenicity and immunogenicity. Expression of the gene in homologous systems was studied using cultures of eukaryotic tissues: both as part of HBV nucleotide sequences incorporated into the chromosome and as part of extrachromosomal DNA. The latest findings on HBsAg gene expression in yeast and bacteria are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
vernacular_title: Struktura i ékspressiia gena poverkhnostnogo antigena virusa gepatita B cheloveka.