Hepatitis B virus cDNA and Antigen

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a type of virus that causes inflammation of the liver (hepatitis). HBV is primarily spread through contact with infected blood, such as through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, or during childbirth. HBV infection can cause symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and nausea. Chronic HBV infection can lead to serious health problems, such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is a vaccine available to prevent HBV infection, and practicing safe behaviors, such as using condoms and avoiding sharing needles, can reduce the risk of transmission.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen includes the surface of HBV that triggers an immune response. Antigens are recognized by the body’s immune system and help it identify pathogens, such as HBV. In the context of HBV, the antigen can be used as a tool for developing diagnostic tests to detect HBV infection. Additionally, the antigen may be used in vaccine development to help protect individuals from HBV infection. The use of HBV antigen in these applications is important for controlling the spread of HBV and reducing the impact of HBV-associated liver disease.

The virus is composed of several proteins, including:

Core protein: The core protein, also known as HBcAg, is the main structural protein of the HBV core, which encloses the viral genome. It is also involved in viral replication.

Middle S protein: The middle S protein is a component of the HBV envelope, which surrounds the core. It is involved in the assembly and secretion of the virus.

Large envelope protein: The large envelope protein, also known as LHBsAg, is another component of the HBV envelope. It plays a critical role in viral entry into host cells and in the pathogenesis of HBV infection.

X protein: The X protein is a regulatory protein that plays a critical role in the replication of HBV. It is involved in the regulation of gene expression and the modulation of host cell signaling pathways.

A2 HBeAg p25: This protein is a truncated form of the HBeAg protein, which is a secreted protein that is produced during HBV infection. A2 HBeAg p25 is believed to be an immunodominant epitope of the HBeAg protein.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg): HBsAg is the main component of the HBV envelope, which is responsible for protecting the virus from the host immune system. There are three major subtypes of HBsAg: ayr-HBsAg, adw-HBsAg, and ayw-HBsAg.

Understanding the structure and function of these proteins is important for the development of effective therapies and vaccines for HBV. In particular, the HBsAg protein is the target of current vaccines for HBV, which have been highly effective in preventing infection in people who are at risk.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has skyrocketed. However, in heterologous expression systems, successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on a variety of factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content. When compared to pre-optimization, more and more experimental results demonstrated that the expression level was dramatically increased, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform that has resulted in the creation of over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), which are ready for production of the recombinant proteins.