title: The variability of the hepatitis B virus genome: statistical analysis and biological implications.
abstract: A statistical analysis of the nucleotide sequence variability in 14 published hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes was carried out using parametric and nonparametric methods. A parametric statistical model revealed that the different regions of the genome differed significantly in their variability. The conclusion was supported by a nonparametric kernel-density model of the HBV genome. Genes S, C, and P, region X, the precore region, and the pre-S2/pre-S1 regions were ranked in order of increasing variability. In many instances, conserved regions of the genome identified with sequences of known function in HBV biology. However, other characterized regions (such as pre-S) showed much variability despite the involvement of their encoded peptides in specific functions. Point mutations that may result in the formation of stop codons and amino acid changes may affect the clinical picture of HBV infection and may be reflected in atypical serological patterns.
authors: Department of Statistics, University of Hong Kong.
authors: I J
authors: IJ
authors: Lauder
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Lin
authors: J Y
authors: JY
authors: Lau
authors: T S
authors: TS
authors: Siu
authors: C L
authors: CL
authors: Lai
mesh_terms: D016384:Consensus Sequence; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D016415:Sequence Alignment