English: Simplified graphical representation of a cross-section of the
Hepatitis B virus particle and surface (surplus) antigen, the hepatitis B e antigens (
HBcAg) shown are considered not part of the viral particle (
quod vide viral nonstructural protein). The structure of the Hepatitis B virus as first described by Dane & al.
[1] and Jokelainen, Krohn & al.
[2] during 1970. The hepatitis B
virion is a complex, double shelled, spherical particle with a 42 nm diameter.
[1][2][3]
- Within the membrane sphere is a 2 nm thick icosahedral nucleocapsid inner core composed of protein (HBcAg) with a 27 nm diameter.[2] When viewed through an electron microscope the inner core may appear pentagonal or hexagonal,[2] depending on the relative position of the sample.
The virion was initially referred to as the Dane particle.[4] Only after Baruch Blumberg received the Nobel Prize in Medicine during 1976 was it universally accepted that the particle is a virus and the infectious agent of Hepatitis B.
Australia antigen (HBsAg): The serum of infected patients contain small spherical and rod-shaped particles with a diameter of ca. 20 nm,[5] consisting of surplus virus-coat material containing the HBsAg antigen.[1][2] This antigen was first discovered by Baruch Blumberg during 1965 within the blood of Australian aboriginal people and initially known as "Australia antigen".[6] It was shown to be associated with "serum hepatitis" by A. M. Prince during 1968.[7]
The outer membrane of the virion is sometimes extended as a tubular tail on one side of the virus particle (not shown);
[2][3] these virion "tails" are identical to the small particles.
[2][3]