HBcAg (core antigen) is a
hepatitis Bviral protein.[1][2] It is an indicator of active viral replication; this means the person infected with Hepatitis B can likely transmit the virus on to another person (i.e. the person is infectious).
Structure and function
HBcAg is an
antigen that can be found on the surface of the
nucleocapsid core (the inner most layer of the
hepatitis B virus). While both HBcAg and
HBeAg are made from the same
open reading frame, HBcAg is not secreted. HBcAg is considered "particulate" and it does not circulate in the blood but recent study show it can be detected in serum by
Radioimmunoassay. However, it is readily detected in
hepatocytes after
biopsy. When both HBcAg and HBeAg proteins are present, it acts as a marker of
viral replication, and antibodies to these antigens indicates declining replication.
Interactions
Tapasin can interact with HBcAg18-27 and enhance cytotoxic
T-lymphocyte response against HBV.[3]
HBcAg (core antigen) is a
hepatitis Bviral protein.[1][2] It is an indicator of active viral replication; this means the person infected with Hepatitis B can likely transmit the virus on to another person (i.e. the person is infectious).
Structure and function
HBcAg is an
antigen that can be found on the surface of the
nucleocapsid core (the inner most layer of the
hepatitis B virus). While both HBcAg and
HBeAg are made from the same
open reading frame, HBcAg is not secreted. HBcAg is considered "particulate" and it does not circulate in the blood but recent study show it can be detected in serum by
Radioimmunoassay. However, it is readily detected in
hepatocytes after
biopsy. When both HBcAg and HBeAg proteins are present, it acts as a marker of
viral replication, and antibodies to these antigens indicates declining replication.
Interactions
Tapasin can interact with HBcAg18-27 and enhance cytotoxic
T-lymphocyte response against HBV.[3]