A Structural Protein Encoded by the 5′ Region of the Hepatitis C Virus Genome Efficiently Detects Viral Infection

Abstract

A structural region of the hepatitis C virus genome was molecularly cloned. A protein expressed in vitro by transcription followed by translation was precipitated immunologically by sera from patients with chronic hepatitis or hepatocellular carcinoma that were positive for antibody against the non‐structural protein, C100, of hepatitis C virus, but not by sera from healthy persons. Thus, this structural protein should be useful for detection of infection with this virus. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved