Cloning and characterization of cDNAs coding for heavy and light chains of a monoclonal antibody specific for the S antigen of hepatitis B virus

Abstract

The nucleotide (nt) sequences encoding the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) have been determined. The mAb recognizes a disulfide-bond-dependent conformational epitope on the hepatitis B virus surface antigen. The sequence analyses revealed that the variable regions of the heavy and light chains are members of mouse heavy- chain subgroup II(A) and κ light-chain subgroup III, respectively.