| Product description |
Mouse monoclonal [HB12] to HbsAgHepatitis B virus (HBV) is a non cytopathic enveloped virus with a small, circular partial double stranded DNA genome. This virus can latently infect hepatocytes and other cells such as lymphocytes but replicates productively only in hepatocytes to result in acute or chronic liver diseases. The envelope of HBV consists of three overlapping polypeptides designated the major or small (S), middle (M), and large (L) proteins encoded by the S, pre-S1 and Pre-S2 gene sequences respectively. These proteins exist both in glycosylated and aglycosylated forms. The small polypeptide contains the common (a) and the (d/y and w/r) subtypic determinants. Based on serological, biochemical and genetic variations observed in HBsAg isolated from different HBV strains, the antigen has been classified in different genotypes and serotypes. All subtypes of HBsAg share the a determinant and two mutually exclusive determinants d or y and w or r. It is necessary, therefore, to recognize four primary subtypes, adw, ayw, adr and ayr; ayr being extremely rare. These subtypes are further diversified due to the serological variability in the w determinant. The HBsAg subtypes are valuable epidemiological tools to identify the source of infection and to study the route of viral transmission and outbreaks. |
