HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN FUSION PROTEIN CONTAINING PRE-S2 EPITOPE AT ITS CARBOXYL TERMINAL AND GENE ENCODING THE SAME

摘要

This invention relates to a novel gene encoding a Hepatitis B surface antigen and the protein encoded by such gene. The nucleic acid encoding Hepatits B surface antigen pre-S2 (Met1 - Gly26), which contains binding sites to B cells and T cells and serum albufnin, is connected to the 3"-end of the nucleic acid encoding the S protein of Hepatitis B surface antigen, then is expressed in yeast expression system. The expression products have the antigenicity of S and pre-S2, can be assembled into virus-like particles of 20-35nm in diameter. The fusion protein may be used to develop new vaccines against Hepatitis B.