INTRODUCTION OF HETEROLOGOUS EPITOPES INTO THE N-TERMINAL REGION OF HEPATITIS-B VIRUS CORE PROTEIN

Plasmids pPS31-42, pPS1-5, pPS2-17, and pPS1P-30 were constructed whic h encode several hybrid proteins containing fragments of the preS regi on of the hepatitis B virus surface protein. Immunoenzyme analysis and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that introduction of short heterol ogous sequences into this region does not hinder specific aggregation. The antigenic determinants introduced were exposed on the surface of the hybrid protein, and both the carrier and epitopes possessed antige nic activity.