Expression of hepatitis B antigens with a simian virus 40 vector.
Recombinant DNA molecules consisting of the simian virus 40 (SV40) early region and different subgenomic hepatitis B virus DNA fragments were constructed in vitro and packaged in vivo into SV40 capsids by using a complementing SV40 helper virus. Upon infection with these virus stocks the three known hepatitis B-specific antigens were expressed under SV40 control. The surface antigen was released into the medium, and the core antigen and its derivative hepatitis B e antigen were only detected intracellularly. Size analysis of the core gene product(s) by immunoblotting revealed the presence of a single protein species identical with the 21-kilodalton core antigen isolated from human liver. The hepatitis B core antigen expressing construct did not contain a putative precore sequence, indicating that such a sequence is not needed for hepatitis B core antigen synthesis in animal cells. S1 analysis demonstrated the use of SV40 signals for initiation and polyadenylation of the core gene transcripts. In addition, a processing-polyadenylation signal was identified within the core gene.
D002460:Cell Line; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000378:metabolism*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes