LOCALIZATION OF THE IMMUNODOMINANT SITE I N THE HEPATITIS-B VIRUS CORE-ANTIGEN WITH THE USE OF SYNTHETIC PEPTIDES

Based on theoretical analysis of secondary structure and hydrophilicit y data, the region (residues 73-89) of the HBV core-antigen presumably containing the antigenic determinant has been revealed. The epitope m apping of this region with the use of synthetic peptides, obtained by the pin technology and solid phase method, was carried out. Peptides w ere synthesized in two variants with different amino acids residues in the position 80 (Ala, Ile). Free peptides and their conjugates with b ovine serum albumine were tested for antigenicity in ELISA. The result s indicate that the fragment 78-83 is the shortest region of the core- antigen which reacts with antibodies from hepatitis B patients sera.