Journal List > Immune Netw > v.3(1) > 1033642

Jin, Kim, and Park: Expression of Intracellular Single Chain Antibody Specific to Hepatitis B Virus X Protein

Abstract

Background

Intracellular antibody specific to hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) might be useful for studying the role of HBx in hepatocellular carcinogenesis and HBV replication.

Methods

With variable region genes for H7 monoclonal anti-HBx Ab, we constructed a vector for bacterial expression of single chain Ab (scFv) and a vector for eukaryotic cell expression of it. The expression of H7 scFv and its binding activity against HBx was examined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy.

Results

H7 scFv expressed in bacterial cells retained reactivity to HBx. We demonstrated its intracytoplasmic expression in CosM6 eukaryotic cells.

Conclusion

This is the first study showing the expression of intracellular anti-HBx Ab in eukaryotic cells. H7 scFv may be a good tool to study the function of HBx in HBV infection.

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