cDNAS DERIVED FROM HEPATITIS C VIRUS

摘要

There is provided a series of sequences of cDNAS derived from hepatitis C virus (HCV). The comparison of the sequences of cDNAS obtained shows that they do not have any substantial homology with viruses A, B, and D of hepatitis. The comparison of these cDNAS with the disclosed sequences of HCV isolated in the United States and Japan shows a difference in this region of about 20 % with the one corresponding to that of the virus isolated in the United States and of about 10 % with the virus isolated in Japan. The sequences of cDNAS of HCV are useful for constructing probes and for the synthesis of polypeptides which may be used in immunoassays for diagnosis, control and follow-up in therapy, and developments of vaccines against hepatitis by C virus. The polypeptides coded by the sequences of cDNAS may also be used to produce and purify antibodies to antigens of HCV, as well as immunoassays to detect antigens of C virus. These antibodies may be used in the profilaxis of the infection. Background: hepatitis C is a disease which progresses, in half of the cases, by chronicity and is agressive since in 20 % of chronic cases a hepatic cirrhosis develops. One of the viruses responsible for this disease has been isolated in the United States from serum and liver of chimpanzee which had been previously inoculated with serum originating from a patient affected by hepatitis non-A, non-B (1). Subsequently, a related virus (2, 3) was isolated in Japan.