title: Hepatitis B virus DNA in Kaposi sarcoma.
abstract: DNA extracted from Kaposi sarcoma biopsies was analyzed for the presence of hepatitis B viral (HBV) DNA sequences by Southern blot hybridization. The probes used were (i) molecularly cloned subgenomic fragments of HBV DNA and (ii) HBV DNA extracted from Dane particles that included DNA sequences that encode hepatitis B surface antigen and core antigen. The limited study reported here demonstrates that HBV DNA exists mainly in an episomal state in the Kaposi sarcoma tissue and that these DNA forms are different from those found in hepatitis B virion. The presence of various DNA forms suggests that HBV DNA is engaged in DNA replication, which implies that the tissue is infected with HBV.
mesh_terms: D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes