Diagnosis of, and vaccination against, a positive stranded RNA virus using an isolated, unprocessed polypeptide encoded by a substantially complete genome of such virus

摘要

The unprocessed polyprotein initially translated from the genome of a positive-stranded RNA virus contains epitopic configurations that are not retained in the processed proteins. The structural protein region, in particular, loses an epitopic configuration upon processing at the cleavage site between the genomic region encoding the core protein and the genomic region encoding the protein adjacent the core protein, such as the envelope protein in HCV. Compositions, methods and assays relating to the diagnosis and detection of the presence of the positive- stranded RNA virus, or antibodies to the positive-stranded RNA virus, in a sample. Compositions and methods for the induction of immune responses in, and vaccination of, an animal. Combination of the unprocessed core region with a non-structural protein (such as an NS5 or an unprocessed NS3-NS4 fusion from HCV).