Related Experiment Videos
The entire nucleotide sequence of the genome of human hepatitis A virus (isolate MBB)
A V Paul1, H Tada, K von der Helm
1Dept. of Microbiology, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Insights
Researchers sequenced the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) genome to understand its unusual growth and immune responses. This study provides the complete nucleotide sequence of the HAV RNA, aiding future vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a significant human pathogen causing hepatitis globally.
- High incidence of Hepatitis A exists in both developed and developing nations.
- Currently, no vaccines are available for Hepatitis A.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the complete primary structure of the Hepatitis A virus genome.
- To compare nucleotide sequences from different HAV strains.
- To elucidate the unusual growth patterns and immunological determinants of HAV.
Main Methods:
- Complementary DNAs (cDNAs) were synthesized from viral RNA.
- cDNAs were cloned into the plasmid pBR322.
- Rapid sequencing methods were employed to determine the full HAV RNA nucleotide sequence.
Main Results:
- The entire nucleotide sequence of the HAV RNA, comprising 7470 bases, was determined.
- This complete sequence was compared with existing partial and one complete HAV RNA sequence from different strains.
- Sequence data from various isolates were analyzed.
Conclusions:
- The complete HAV genome sequence provides a basis for understanding its biology.
- Comparative sequence analysis may explain HAV's unusual growth patterns.
- Sequence information can guide the identification of immunological determinants for antibody response.
Abstract:
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an important human pathogen causing hepatitis, with high incidence in developed as well as in developing countries. No vaccines are available. In order to determine the primary structure of the HAV genome, we have prepared cDNAs from viral RNA and cloned these into plasmid pBR322. These clones were used to determine the entire nucleotide sequence of the HAV RNA by rapid sequencing methods. We have compared this sequence of 7470 bases to known partial sequences, and one complete sequence of HAV RNA which were obtained recently from different strains of HAV. It is hoped that a comparison of sequence data from different isolates will help in the elucidation of the unusual growth pattern of HAV. In addition, it might provide helpful information about the immunological determinants that elicit the antibody response to infection.