Epitope analysis of HCV antigen coded by clone C8-2

Abstract

C8-2 cDNA is a clone coding for a part of NS5 protein of HCV. The protein coded by C8-2 cDNA reacts with sera of patients with HC. We devided C8-2 cDNA into two parts which codes 1-37aa and 38-89aa, respectively. These cDNAs were expressed in E. coli, and both of recombinant proteins derived from these cDNAs reacted with sera of patients with HC. Three synthetic peptides (1-37aa, 38-72aa, 60-89aa) derived from C8-2 region reacted with sera of patients with HC. These results show that more than three epitopes exsist in C8-2 region.