Association of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) determinants with the core of Dane particles

Immunoprecipitates obtained by reacting Dane particle cores with human antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) were chromatographed on columns of Sepharose 4B CL using 3 M-NaSCN as eluant. An antigen having the size and immunological specificity of monomeric e-antigen (HBeAg) was separated from HBcAg by this method. Antisera from animals immunized with HBcAg or HBeAg reacted not only with the antigen used for immunization but also with HBeAg and HBcAg, respectively. This indicates that HBeAg determinants are associated with the core of Dane particles.