Microarray-based analysis for the interaction between the envelope protein and the core protein of human hepatitis B virus

Abstract

In virion release of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) from hepatocytes, assembly of the viral particles involves the interaction of the preformed nucleocapsids with viral envelope proteins. As the core protein of nucleocapsids binds strongly to the pre-S region of the large envelope protein, the inhibition of such process is expected to prevent infectious viral production. In this study, we describe a protein microarray system for directly monitoring interactions between the core protein and the pre-S domain. Employing a fluorescently-labeled peptide derived from the pre-S region, we have developed a quantitative method based on fluorescence detection, which measures its interaction with the core protein. The applicability of the method has been demonstrated by performing competitive interaction studies with the pre-S protein. Therefore, the developed microarray-based interaction analysis would serve as a screening platform for developing anti-HBV agents.