Cloning in Escherichia coli and physical structure of hepatitis B virion DNA

A restriction map of hepatitis B virion DNA was established after cloning of the whole viral genome in Escherichia coli. By use of EcoRI, Xho I, Bgl II, Xba I, BamHI, HincII, and Hae III endonucleases, a total of 28 restriction sites were mapped. The single-stranded region was localized on the restriction map and 5' end of the short strand was mapped at a fixed position.