COMPARISON BETWEEN HOMOLOGIES OF E2 NS1 GENE FROM GENOTYPE-III CHINESE ISOLATES OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS AND THAT FROM REPORTED ISOLATES/

Objectives To sequence E2/NS1 gene from genotype III Chinese isolates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and analyze homology corresponding to the r egion of the reported isolates. Methods E2/NS1 gene derived from genot ype III Chinese isolates of HCV was amplified by reverse transcripase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cloned into vector pcDNA3. Dide oxy chain termination methods were used to sequence E2/NS1 gene. Resul ts E2/NS1 gene derived from genotype III Chinese isolates of HCV was c loned for the first time and named HC-W14. Identity of HC-W14 in nucle otide and putative amino acid to those of genotype III Japanese isolat es of HCV were 88.37% and 89.29% respectively. Homology to that of non -type III isolates was relatively low. Conclusions High variation exis ted in E2/NS1 region between genotype III and II Chinese isolates of h epatitis C virus. The variability of E2/NS1 gene should be taken into account in the development of vaccine against HCV in China.