In Silico Analysis of Epitope-Based Vaccine Candidates against Hepatitis B Virus Polymerase Protein.

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has persisted as a major public health problem due to the lack of an effective treatment for those chronically infected. Therapeutic vaccination holds promise, and targeting HBV polymerase is pivotal for viral eradication. In this research, a computational approach was employed to predict suitable HBV polymerase targeting multi-peptides for vaccine candidate selection. We then performed in-depth computational analysis to evaluate the predicted epitopes' immunogenicity, conservation, population coverage, and toxicity. Lastly, molecular docking and MHC-peptide complex stabilization assay were utilized to determine the binding energy and affinity of epitopes to the HLA-A0201 molecule. Criteria-based analysis provided four predicted epitopes, RVTGGVFLV, VSIPWT

SUBMITTER: Zheng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5454424 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature