title: Characterization of a linear epitope in the nonstructural region 4 of hepatitis C virus with reactivity to seroconversion antibodies.
abstract: Mapping and possible diagnostic meaning of a highly conserved, linear NS4 epitope (NS4/3), located outside the C100-3 antigen within the carboxyl terminal proportion of the NS4 region, with major immunoreactivity with specimens of patients with HCV infection from various geographic origins is described. Transient, acute-phase IgM anti-HCV NS4/3 was detected coincidentally or earlier than active IgG anti-HCV NS4/3 response with four well-characterized seroconversion panels. GenBank alignment studies identified patch homologies between the NS4/3 sequence and a number of non-HCV proteins, which may explain part of the cross-reactivity of the NS4/3 epitope. Some of the "false positive reactivities" of the NS4/3 epitope with asymptomatic blood donors, not being confirmed with FDA-approved anti-HCV assays without the NS4/3 epitope, may be explained by recognition of very early seroconversion antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, Werk Tutzing, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wienhues
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Ihlenfeldt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seidel
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kraas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology*; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; C093542:NS4 protein, hepatitis C virus; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins