Published online Mar 31, 2003.
https://doi.org/10.4110/in.2003.3.1.23
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.
