Comparison between homologies of E2/NS1 gene from genotype III Chinese isolates of hepatitis C virus and that from reported isolates.
OBJECTIVE
To sequence E2/NS1 gene from genotype III Chinese isolates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and analyze homology corresponding to the region of the reported isolates.


METHODS
E2/NS1 gene derived from genotype III Chinese isolates of HCV was amplified by reverse transcripase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cloned into vector pcDNA3. Dideoxy chain termination methods were used to sequence E2/NS1 gene.


RESULTS
E2/NS1 gene derived from genotype III Chinese isolates of HCV was cloned for the first time and named HC-W14. Identity of HC-W14 in nucleotide and putative amino acid to those of genotype III Japanese isolates of HCV were 88.37% and 89.29% respectively. Homology to that of non-type III isolates was relatively low.


CONCLUSIONS
High variation existed in E2/NS1 region between genotype III and II Chinese isolates of hepatitis C virus. The variability of E2/NS1 gene should be taken into account in the development of vaccine against HCV in China.
Wu
C
C
Institute of Hepatology, The People's Hospital, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100044, China.
Tao
Q
Q
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus