Electron microscopic and solution X-ray scattering observations on the structure of hepatitis B surface antigen

The structure of the small, spherical hepatitis B surface antigen was studied by negative staining, freeze-fracture and freeze-etching electron microscopy and solution X-ray scattering techniques. The protein appears to be organized at the surface into a small number of morphological subunits which display two- and threefold axes of symmetry. The mean particle size was 18.3 nm by negative staining and 19.6 nm by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. The diameter of the individual subunits was about 7.5 nm with an intersubunit distance of about 10.0 nm. The lipid is distributed more homogeneously. Some heterogeneity of the particle structure is apparent which may be due to a slightly variable lipid-protein composition or incomplete or defective particle formation.