HCV NS3 RECOMBINANT ANTIGENS AND MUTANTS THEREOF FOR IMPROVED ANTIBODY DETECTION

摘要

The present disclosure relates to polypeptides, including fusions thereof, nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, immunodiagnostic reagents, kits, and immunoassays for use detecting the presence of HCV antibodies. More specifically, the present invention describes specific NS3 antigens that can be used for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies.

主权项

1. A recombinant HCV NS3 antigen comprising a NS3 helicase sequence that comprises each of domains I, II and III of said helicase, wherein said antigen has increased immunoreactivity against HCV antibodies from test sample as compared to C33 antigen, wherein said recombinant HCV NS3 antigen comprises one or more of the characteristics selected from the group consisting of:
diminished ATP-binding activity as compared to the ATP-binding activity of wild-type NS3 helicase diminished ATPase activity as compared to wild-type NS3 as compared to the ATP-binding activity of wild-type NS3 helicase, and increased redox stability as compared to the redox stability of wild-type NS3 helicase.