Hepadnavirus pre-S protein fragments

Abstract

The invention features fragments of hepadnavirus pre-S protein that bind to viral receptor p120 or p170.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A polypeptide consisting of 
 a first amino acid sequence that is identical to (1) amino acids 1-104 of a naturally occurring hepadnavirus pre-S protein or (2) a fragment of amino acids 1-104 of the pre-S protein, provided that the fragment includes at least amino acids 80-102 of the pre-S protein; and    one or more amino acid sequences that are not identical to the pre-S protein.    
     
     
         2 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the first amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of amino acids 1-102, 25-102, 59-102, 80-102, 80-104, 1-104, 25-104, 42-102, and 59-104 of SEQ ID NO:34.  
     
     
         3 . The polypeptide of  claim 2 , wherein the first amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of amino acids 1-102, 25-102, 59-102, and 80-102 of SEQ ID NO:34.  
     
     
         4 . The polypeptide of  claim 2 , wherein the first amino acid sequence is amino acids 80-102 or 80-104of SEQ ID NO:34.  
     
     
         5 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more amino acid sequences include the amino acid sequence of a glutathione S-transferase.  
     
     
         6 . A polypeptide consisting of 
 a first amino acid sequence that is identical to (1) amino acids 25-161 of a naturally occurring hepadnavirus pre-S protein or (2) a fragment of amino acids 25-161 of the pre-S protein, provided that the fragment includes at least amino acids 98-161 of the pre-S protein; and    one or more amino acid sequences that are not identical to the pre-S protein.    
     
     
         7 . The polypeptide of  claim 6 , wherein the first amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of amino acids 92-161, 98-161, 87-161, 26-161, 59-161, 71-161, and 80-161 of SEQ ID NO:34.  
     
     
         8 . The polypeptide of  claim 7 , wherein the first amino acid sequence is amino acids 92-161 or 98-161 of SEQ ID NO:34.  
     
     
         9 . The polypeptide of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more amino acid sequences include the amino acid sequence of a glutathione S-transferase.