| 摘要 |
The unprocessed core protein region initially translated from the genome of HCV contains epitopic configurations that are not retained in the processed proteins. In particular, the core protein loses an epitopic configuration upon processing at the cleavage site between the genomic region (e.g., gene) encoding the core protein and the genomic region encoding the adjacent envelope region. The unprocessed epitopic configuration of the core region provides an improved ability to detect the presence of HCV, or antibodies to HCV, in a sample, including an unpurified sample or a sample of very small volume (which can be particularly helpful when testing a sample from an infant or other person having very little blood (or other suitable material) available for testing). Combining the unprocessed core region with a non-structural protein (such as an NS5 or an NS3-NS4 fusion) results in a synergistic effect that greatly enhances the already improved sensitivity and specificity provided by the unprocessed core region. The unprocessed epitopic configuration of the core region also provides an improved ability to induce an immune response upon administration of the core region into an animal. |
