FIG 9.

CsCl density gradient analysis of virion secretion by HBc CDM mutants. HepG2 (A) and Huh7 cells (B) were transfected with the indicated constructs. Cell culture supernatant was collected on day 5 posttransfection. Concentrated culture supernatant was fractionated on isopycnic CsCl density gradients. Selected fractions (F14 to F22) were resolved by native agarose gel electrophoresis. Following transfer to a nitrocellulose membrane, HBV DNA in virions and naked capsid released into the culture supernatant were detected by using the HBV-specific DNA probe. The virion and capsid fractions are indicated.