title: DNA polymerase in the core of the human hepatitis B virus candidate.
abstract: Experiments were done to show that the human hepatitis B antigen (HBAg)-associated DNA polymerase is a component of Dane particles and their antigenically distinct cores prepared by Nonidet P-40 detergent treatment of Dane particles. Before detergent treatment, the DNA polymerase was precipitated by serum containing anti-HB surface antigen (anti-HB(s)) but not with serum containing anti-HB core antigen (anti-HB(c)). After detergent treatment, the enzyme was precipitated by anti-HB(c)- and not by anti-HB(s)-containing serum. Highly purified 16- to 25-nm HBAg particles blocked only the precipitation of DNA polymerase in untreated HBAg preparations. The 110S structure with which the DNA reaction product remains associated in Nonidet P-40-treated preparations was identified as Dane particle core by immunoprecipitation with serum containing anti-HB(c). The DNA polymerase and the radioactive DNA reaction product were used as markers for core in immunoprecipitation tests for anticore. In such assays, 8 of 11 human sera with anti-HB(s) activity and all of 10 sera from chronic HBAg carriers were found to contain anti-HB(c) activity.
mesh_terms: D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000032:analysis*; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007181:Inclusion Bodies, Viral; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D012265:Ribonucleotides; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D007106:Immune Sera; D012265:Ribonucleotides; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014316:Tritium; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases