Recombinant HDV (aa 1-108; 151-209)

Biomolecules

The HDV genome exists as a negative sense, single-stranded, closed circular RNA. Because of a nucleotide sequence that is 70% self-complementary, the HDV genome forms a partially double stranded RNA structure that is described as rod-like. With a genome of approximately 1700 nucleotides, It has been proposed that HDV may have originated from a class of plant viruses called viroids. Evidence in support of this hypothesis stems from the fact that both HDV and viroids exist as single-stranded, closed circular RNAs that have rod-like structures. Likewise, both HDV and viroids contain RNA sequences that can assume catalytically active structures called ribozymes. The, E. coli, derived recombinant protein contains the HDV immunodominant regions, amino acids 1-108 aa, 151-209 aa.

Immunoreactive with sera HDV-infected individuals.