Localization of a hepatitis B surface antigen determinant deduced from results of chemical modifications.

The effect on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of reagents considered specific for each of the amino acid residues, lysine, methionine, cysteine, arginine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and glutamic (aspartic) acid, was studied. Based on the observed alterations of HBsAg antigenicity and the known amino acid sequence of the HBsAg polypeptide, a major antigenic determinant was localized within the sequence: Pro-Ser-Cys-Cys-Cys-Thr-Lys-Pro-Thr(Ser)-Asp-Gly-Asn-Cys-Thr-Cys-Ile-Pro-Ile-Pr o-Ser-Ser, corresponding to residues 135-155. The asparagine-linked saccharide chains are not essential for HBsAg antigenicity.