Receptor for pre-Sl(21-47) component of hepatitis B virus on the liver cell: role in virus cell interaction

Abstract

Attachment of hepatitis B virus to a hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2) was examined using a synthetic peptide corresponding to the pre-S1 (21-47) region of the envelope protein. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class binding site of Kd 104 ± 27 nM/I and 5.4 ± 1.2 × 10⁵ sites per cell. Competition of HBV with pre-S1 peptides was dose dependent, and demonstrated it as the dominant binding site. In view of the suggested sequence homology between the peptide and IgA, cross-competition studies were carried out. The results indicate no direct role of IgA receptor in HBV binding. The receptor for the pre-S1 pep- tide was identified as a single major peptide of molecular weight 31 kD using in-situ ligand receptor crosslinking.