Evidence for Non-chromosomal Hepatitis B Virus Surface (HBsAg)- and Core Antigen (HBcAg)-specific DNA Sequences in a Hepatoma Cell Line

Abstract
A beta particle fraction isolated from the cytoplasm of human hepatoma PLC/PRF/5 cells was previously demonstrated to contain hepatitis B virus(HBV)-specific DNA. Further evidence is provided that the specificity of the DNA for HBV is represented at least by sequences coding for the surface and core antigen. This was shown by 2 different hybridization techniques. One, the technique of Southern, distinguished these hybrid molecules formed from those containing HBV DNA integrated into chromosomes. The HBV-specific beta particle DNA forms 2 distinct bands separate from the high MW cellular DNA.