MF_04076

External core antigen [C]

HAMAP entry
Member databaseHAMAP
HAMAP typefamily
Short nameHBV_HBEAG

Description
Imported from IPR002006

This entry represent the core antigen of the viral capsid (HBcAg) from various Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is a major human pathogen. The virus is composed of an outer envelope of host-derived lipid containing the surface proteins, and an inner protein capsid that contains genomic DNA. The capsid is composed of a single polypeptide, HBcAg, also known as the core antigen. The capsid has a 5-helical fold, where two long helices form a hairpin that dimerises into a 4-helical bundle
[1]
; this fold is unusual for icosahedral viruses. The monomer fold is stabilised by a hydrophobic core that is highly conserved among human viral variants. The capsid is assembled from dimers via interactions involving a highly conserved arginine-rich region near the C terminus. This viral capsid acts as a core antigen, the major immunodominant region lying at the tips of the α-helical hairpins that form spikes on the capsid surface.

References
Imported from IPR002006

1.The crystal structure of the human hepatitis B virus capsid. Wynne SA, Crowther RA, Leslie AG. Mol. Cell 3, 771-80, (1999). View articlePMID: 10394365

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