Recombinant Hepatitis C Core Antigen (HCV)

Product Overview

Recombinant Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen (HCcAg) is a highly purified protein fragment, meticulously engineered to represent a crucial component of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) – the core protein.

Specifications

• Source: Expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) to ensure high purity and stability.
• Purity: Greater than 95%, ensuring high quality for research and diagnostic applications.
• Composition: Incorporates the immunodominant region of the HCV core protein, fused to a His-tag for easy purification, and suspended in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4.
• Applications: Designed for versatility, suitable for use in various immunological assays including Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Western Blotting, and Lateral Flow Immunoassays.

Background Information

Hepatitis C virus, a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a small enveloped virus with a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome. HCV is responsible for causing hepatitis C in humans and is linked to the development of severe liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma and lymphomas. Characterized by its rapid replication rate and high genetic variability, HCV presents a significant challenge to the immune system, often leading to chronic infection.

The virus is genetically diverse, categorized into six main genotypes with numerous subtypes, affecting the clinical management and therapeutic response. The HCV core protein, encoded at the 5’ end of the virus’s genome, is pivotal in forming the virus capsid. Upon translation, the core protein is processed by host enzymes, resulting in the mature core antigen (HCcAg), which is highly antigenic and plays a crucial role in the virus’s pathogenesis and immune evasion.

Clinical Significance

HCcAg serves as a critical marker for HCV infection, given its high conservation across different HCV genotypes. It facilitates early diagnosis, appearing in the bloodstream within 10 to 15 days post-infection, thereby offering a valuable window for early intervention. The detection of HCcAg through ELISA and other immunoassays complements RNA-based diagnostics, providing a robust tool for the comprehensive screening and management of HCV infection.

Usage