Molecular cloning and sequencing of ribozyme region of HDV from a serious hepatitis patient

The cDNA (651nt - 941nt) fragment of an isolate of hepatitis delta virus with 289 bp was determined by cloning and Sequencing, from a HBsAg carrier positive both for anti - HDAg and HDV RNA from China, Sichuan Province, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.It contains the region of HDV ribozyme and its self - cleavage site. Comparing this Sichuan isolate with other known HDV isolates from Henan, US - 1, Japan, Peru and Taiwan, the result showed that the homology of nucbotides is 97. 2 %, 93 %, 94 %, 79 %, 96 %, respectively.