Molecular heterogeneity of hepatitis B virus e antigen in liver and serum

The Journal of General Virology
E YamadaN Ishida

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) derived from liver at autopsy or from the serum of asymptomatic carriers has been characterized. The liver-derived HBeAg consisted of two different molecules, one with a mol. wt. of 30 000 (monomer) and the other with a mol. wt. of 90 000 (trimer), in a ratio of 3:1. Both were free of IgG. The serum-derived HBeAgs were heterogeneous with mol. wt. of 30 000, 90 000, 240 000, 400 000 and 540 000. Among them, the so-called IgG-free HBeAgs consisted almost exclusively of the 30 000 and 90 000 molecular species, in a ratio of 1:9. The serum HBeAg of mol. wt. 90 000 was further differentiated into two molecular species, one trimer and the other associated with albumin. The large mol. wt. HBeAgs (240 000, 400 000 and 540 000) were associated with IgG in ratios of one molecule of HBeAg to one, two or three molecules of IgG respectively. The complete dissociation of the IgG molecule was not achieved by 5 M-urea treatment of such HBeAgs, suggesting that it was bound in an immune complex. A hypothetical model is proposed which describes the heterogeneity of the HBeAgs derived from both the liver and serum, and containing HBeAgs either in a free form or associated with serum IgG.

Citations

Jul 1, 1986·Journal of Virological Methods·K Stuckmann Spiezia, I K Mushahwar
Sep 7, 1982·Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta·M YamakiH Maeda
Aug 12, 2009·PloS One·Bruno SainzSusan L Uprichard
Jan 1, 1984·Journal of Medical Virology·A BudkowskaD Roszuk
Jan 1, 1983·Journal of Medical Virology·H OhoriN Ishida

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.