Abstract: Disclosed are an HCV gene having higher replication efficiency and higher reinfection efficiency than the known HCV gene of genotype 1b, an RNA replicon having this gene, a cell infected with this RNA replicon, which cell allows replication of HCV, and an HCV particle. The hepatitis C virus gene encodes an amino acid sequence wherein the 979th amino acid is threonine; the 1804th amino acid is leucine; and the 1966th amino acid is lysine. An HCV gene which can propagate in vitro and has higher replication efficiency and higher reinfection efficiency than the known HCV gene of genotype 1b was provided.

Abstract: An HCV/GBV-B chimeric virus which maintains the replication function of HCV and is capable of infecting tamarin is disclosed in order to construct an HCV animal model which can be used as a development or evaluation system for therapeutic agents for HCV. The HCV/GBV-B chimeric RNA comprises an RNA of hepatitis C virus and an RNA of GB virus-B, wherein the RNA of hepatitis C virus comprises an RNA encoding leucine at the 1804th position and lysine at the 1966th position in the amino acid sequence of the polyprotein of hepatitis C virus.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a probe useful in the detection of HBV or HBs antigen by which an escape mutant of hepatitis B virus (HBV) possibly occurring in a specimen can be detected; and a method of using the same. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A probe capable of recognizing an epitope located on a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; and a method of detecting hepatitis B virus or hepatitis B virus s antigen by using this probe.

Abstract: Disclosed are an HCV gene having higher replication efficiency and higher reinfection efficiency than the known HCV gene of genotype 1b, an RNA replicon having this gene, a cell infected with this RNA replicon, which cell allows replication of HCV, and an HCV particle. The hepatitis C virus gene encodes an amino acid sequence wherein the 979th amino acid is threonine; the 1804th amino acid is leucine; and the 1966th amino acid is lysine. An HCV gene which can propagate in vitro and has higher replication efficiency and higher reinfection efficiency than the known HCV gene of genotype 1b was provided.

Abstract: There is provided a HBV precore protein having an ability of forming particles, and a means for determining it. A novel HBV precore protein that forms the virus (like) particles of HBV was identified. The present invention provides this novel HBV precore protein. Furthermore, there are provided core-like particles and virus-like particles formed by this HBV precore protein. These virus-like particles can be used for vaccines and therapeutic agents. The present invention also provides a method of determining the HBV precore protein and a method of determining the anti-HBV precore protein antibody.

Abstract: An HCV/GBV-B chimeric virus which maintains the replication function of HCV and is capable of infecting tamarin is disclosed in order to construct an HCV animal model which can be used as a development or evaluation system for therapeutic agents for HCV. The HCV/GBV-B chimeric RNA comprises an RNA of hepatitis C virus and an RNA of GB virus-B, wherein the RNA of hepatitis C virus comprises an RNA encoding leucine at the 1804th position and lysine at the 1966th position in the amino acid sequence of the polyprotein of hepatitis C virus.

Abstract: To provide a method for detection or quantification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens in serum and a simple and highly user-friendly method for sample treatment for use in the detection or quantification thereof. The method for treatment of a sample containing hepatitis B virus (HBV) is characterized in that release of HBV antigens and disruption of antibodies that bind to HBV antigens are carried out by treating a sample containing HBV with a treatment agent containing (1) an acidifying agent and (2) a protein denaturant or an amphoteric surfactant or cationic surfactant having an alkyl group and a tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium salt within a molecule.

Abstract: There is provided a HBV precore protein having an ability of forming particles, and a means for determining it. A novel HBV precore protein that forms the virus (like) particles of HBV was identified. The present invention provides this novel HBV precore protein. Furthermore, there are provided core-like particles and virus-like particles formed by this HBV precore protein. These virus-like particles can be used for vaccines and therapeutic agents. The present invention also provides a method of determining the HBV precore protein and a method of determining the anti-HBV precore protein antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hepatitis C virus gene, a replicon RNA derived from the gene, a replicon-replicating cell into which the replicon RNA is introduced, and a method for screening a drug using the replicon-replicating cell.

Abstract: There is provided a HBV precore protein having an ability of forming particles, and a means for determining it. A novel HBV precore protein that forms the virus (like) particles of HBV was identified. The present invention provides this novel HBV precore protein. Furthermore, there are provided core-like particles and virus-like particles formed by this HBV precore protein. These virus-like particles can be used for vaccines and therapeutic agents. The present invention also provides a method of determining the HBV precore protein and a method of determining the anti-HBV precore protein antibody.

Abstract: A truncated form hepatitis C virus gene wherein part of the gene region encoding from the core protein to the NS2 protein of hepatitis C virus has been deleted while retaining the translation frame. In particular, the gene according to claim 1 wherein said part of the gene region is present in a region encoding at least the E1 protein and the E2 protein.

Abstract: To provide a method for detection or quantification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens in serum and a simple and highly user-friendly method for sample treatment for use in the detection or quantification thereof. The method for treatment of a sample containing hepatitis B virus (HBV) is characterized in that release of HBV antigens and disruption of antibodies that bind to HBV antigens are carried out by treating a sample containing HBV with a treatment agent containing (1) an acidifying agent and (2) a protein denaturant or an amphoteric surfactant or cationic surfactant having an alkyl group and a tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium salt within a molecule.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a probe useful in the detection of HBV or HBs antigen by which an escape mutant of hepatitis B virus (HBV) possibly occurring in a specimen can be detected; and a method of using the same. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS]A probe capable of recognizing an epitope located on a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; and a method of detecting hepatitis B virus or hepatitis B virus s antigen by using this probe.

Abstract: A Method for detecting hepatitis B virus as well as a kit and a reagent therefor, comprising using a phosphate buffer that specifically binds to hepatitis B virus, for example a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a specific site of core-related protein of hepatitis B virus.

Abstract: A Method for detecting hepatitis B virus as well as a kit and a reagent therefor, comprising using a phosphate buffer that specifically binds to hepatitis B virus, for example a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a specific site of core-related protein of hepatitis B virus.

Abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles that contain HBV-RNA but do not contain HBV-DNA in a body fluid sample; A method of measuring the particles according to claim 1 by measuring HBV-RNA; A method of judging the therapeutic effect of the treatment of HBV infections by a drug having an effect of inhibiting RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, which method comprises performing the measurement on a body fluid of a patient who received said treatment; A method of predicting the risk of developing hepatic carcinoma or selecting risk groups of developing hepatic carcinoma by the above measurement.

Abstract: There is provided a HBV precore protein having an ability of forming particles, and a means for determining it. A novel HBV precore protein that forms the virus (like) particles of HBV was identified. The present invention provides this novel HBV precore protein. Furthermore, there are provided core-like particles and virus-like particles formed by this HBV precore protein. These virus-like particles can be used for vaccines and therapeutic agents. The present invention also provides a method of determining the HBV precore protein and a method of determining the anti-HBV precore protein antibody.

Abstract: A Method for detecting hepatitis B virus as well as a kit and a reagent therefor, comprising using a phosphate buffer that specifically binds to hepatitis B virus, for example a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a specific site of core-related protein of hepatitis B virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an NS4-related antigenic peptide capable of reacting specifically with antibodies directed against Group I of hepatitis C virus (HCV); to an NS4-related antigenic peptide capable of reacting specifically with antibodies directed against Group II of HCV; to a kit for identifying HCV Groups I or II which comprises said peptides in separate sections; and to methods for grouping HCV. The peptides of the present invention can be used to detect HCV Groups I or II specifically as well as the detection of patients having the mixed infection, by which HCV Group II-infected patients can receive early interferon treatment effectively. The peptides are also useful for diagnosis of HCV infection.

Abstract: A process for the production of human serum albumin A (HSA) characterized by culturing host cells transformed with the plasmids containing a leader DNA sequence and a cDNA coding for mature HSA to produce and secrete mature HSA, and recovering the mature HSA. As the leader HSA sequence, a cDNA coding for the prepro sequence of HSA, a synthetic DNA coding for the prepro sequence of HSA, by the codons frequently used in a selected host, a DNA coding for a chimeric leader peptide, a DNA coding for MF.alpha.1 prepro sequence, or a DNA coding for PH05 signal peptide, is used.