SEQUENCES DERIVED FROM THE GENOME OF THE C HEPATITIS VIRUS, AND USE THEREOF

摘要

The present invention relates to a series of cDNA sequences derived from the hepatitis C virus, called CHV-Cu, and the expression of the antigenes coded by said sequences. The viral RNA of the CHV-Cu was extracted from the serum of a patient with non-A, non-B hepatitis. The cDNA was amplified by PCR and the fragments obtained were cloned and sequenced. The fragments which coded for antigenic polypeptides were expressed in yeast, thereby obtaining a multimer protein or a virus-like particle. The analysis by electronic microscopy showed a particle having a diameter comprised between 20 and 60 nm with a flotation density between 1.16 and 1.30 g/cm<3> in gradients of saccharose and cesium chloride. The invention may be applied to the medical field for the development of therapeutical and prophylactic vaccines, for the production of proteins having a diagnostic interest, for the development of polyclonal antibodies, natural or recombinant monoclonal antibodies and anti-viral agents.