Expression of MBP-HCV NS1/E2 fusion protein in E. coli and detection of anti-NS1/E2 antibody in type C chronic liver disease. |
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| Authors: | E Mita N Hayashi K Ueda A Kasahara H Fusamoto A Takamizawa K Matsubara H Okayama T Kamada |
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| Affiliation: | First Department of Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, Japan. |
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| Abstract: | To characterize the putative NS1/E2 (non-structural protein 1/envelope 2) domain of HCV (hepatitis C virus), we expressed the hydrophilic three-quarters of this domain in a form of MBP (maltose binding protein) fusions in Escherichia coli. When we checked the positive frequency of antibody to this fusion protein, 17% of patients with type C chronic liver disease had this antibody. However, they were all positive for HCV-RNA in sera. These results suggest that the appearance of anti-NS1/E2 antibody does not serve as evidence of viral clearance. |
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