Detection of hepatitis B virus core gene products in sera and liver of HBV-infected individuals.
The C gene of hepatitis B virus (HBV) codes for at least two different proteins (p 21c and p 17e). To investigate the expression of C-gene-encoded proteins in vivo, serum and liver samples from HBsAg-positive patients as well as serial serum samples from an HBV-transfected chimpanzee were studied. Antibodies directed against bacterially synthesized C-fusion proteins were used in Western blots to test for the presence of p 21c and p 17e. In serial serum samples from the chimpanzee, p 21c and p 17e were detected concomitantly during the acute phase of the infection. When sera of patients with chronic HBV infection were studied, all sera containing p 17e were found to be positive also for p 21c. Sera positive for HBV DNA but negative for HBeAg were only positive for p 21c, indicating that HBeAg/p 17e is not an absolutely reliable marker for infectivity. In liver tissue specimens from 20 patients with HBV-related liver diseases, p 21c was detected in five cases, indicating viral replication. The p 17e antigen, however, was present only in low amounts in three of these five, suggesting that synthesis of p 21c and p 17e is not strictly coupled. C/Pol-gene-encoded fusion proteins were found in the liver tissue of only one patient with cirrhosis, supporting our previous finding that detectable levels of these proteins are expressed rarely.
Theilmann
L
L
Medizinische Universitätsklinik, University of Heidelberg, F.R.G.
Pfaff
E
E
Kommerell
B
B
Gmelin
K
K
Schaller
H
H
Salfeld
J
J
D000818:Animals; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005815:Genetic Code; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D014758:Viral Core Proteins