CHARACTERIZATION OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS DNA POLYMERASE

Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) particles were separated from plasma containing hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen (subtype adr) and the nature of the endogenous DNA polymerase in the HBV core particles was studied. The HBV endogenous DNA polymerase activity was examined under the conditions used for preparation of HBV vaccine. The endogenous DNA polymerase activity was reduced slowly upon the heat treatment or formalin treatment. The reductions of the activity were 65 and 70% following heat treatment at 60.degree. C for 10 h and the formalin treatment at 37.degree. C for 90 h, respectively. Properties of HBV endogenous DNA polymerase were studied by utilizing specific inhibitors against eukaryotic DNA polymerases. The HBV endogenous DNA polymerase is resistant to aphidicolin and N-ethylmaleimide, and is sensitive to 2'',3''-dideoxythymidine 5''-triphosphate, phosphonoformic acid and 9-.beta.-D-arabinofuranosyladenosine 5''-triphosphate.