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Science 22 December 1972:
Vol. 178. no. 4067, pp. 1300 - 1301
DOI: 10.1126/science.178.4067.1300
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Articles

Australia Antigen (Hepatitis B Antigen): A Conformational Antigen Dependent on Disulfide Bonds

G. N. Vyas 1, K. R. Rao 1, and A. B. Ibrahim 1

1 Department of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco 94122

Reduction and alkylation of purified hepatitis-associated Australia antigen (hepatitis B antigen) resulted in a total loss of serologic activity. The reduced and alkylated protein formed a single band with a sedimentation coefficient of 31S on analytical ultracentrifugation, and no subunits were detected by Sephadex gel filtration. Although this preparation induced a delayed hypersensitivity response when injected into guinea pigs, it failed to stimulate humoral antibody formation. The data suggest that hepatitis B antigen is a conformational antigen critically dependent upon the disulfide bonds of the protein moiety.


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