Molecular cloning and expression of the hepatitis delta virus genotype IIb genome.
Analysis of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) genome sequences has revealed multiple genotypes with different geographical distributions and associated disease patterns. To date, replication-competent cDNA clones of HDV genotypes I, II, and III have been reported. HDV genotypes I, II, and IIb have been found in Taiwan. Although full-length sequences of genotype IIb have been published, its replication competence in cultured cells has yet to be reported. In order to examine this, we obtained a full-length cDNA clone, Taiwan-IIb-1, from a Taiwanese HDV genotype IIb isolate. Comparison of the complete nucleic acid sequence of Taiwan-IIb-1 with previously published genotype IIb isolates indicated that Taiwan-IIb-1 shares 98% identity with another Taiwanese isolate and 92% identity with a Japanese isolate. Transfection of Taiwan-IIb-1 into COS7 cells resulted in accumulation of the HDV genome and appearance of delta antigens, showing that cloned HDV genotype IIb can replicate in cultured cells.
Wang
Tzu-Chi
TC
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-Shan, Tao-yang 333, Taiwan.
Chao
Mei
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019556:COS Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000378:metabolism; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012313:RNA