Fine mapping of virus-neutralizing epitopes on hepatitis B virus PreS1

We identified the epitopes on the preS1 which induce antibodies that neutra lize both ad and ay subtypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Previously we gene rated murine monoclonal antibodies KR359 and KR127 that bind specifically t o the preS1 of HBV. In this study we have performed fine mappings of the ep itopes of the antibodies by examining their reactivity with GST fusion prot eins, which contain a series of deletion mutants of the preS1. KR359 and KR 127 specifically recognize aa 19-26 and 37-45 of the preS1, respectively. T he antibodies neutralized both adr and ayw subtypes of the virus in an in v itro neutralization assay using in vitro infection of adult human hepatocyt e primary culture by HBV. The epitopes showed little sequence divergence an d the antibodies bound to the preS1 of all the HBV subtypes and variants te sted. (C) 2000 Academic Press.