Robert's HBV Page - Terms & Jargon

Terms and Jargon
When I have time, I shall update these definitions of the various related terminology used on this site.

Typical Short Forms Used on this Site

Anti-HBc: Antibodies against the Hepatitis B Core protein
Anti-HBe: Antibodies against the Hepatitis B e protein
Anti-HBs: Antibodies against the Hepatitis B Surface proteins
cccDNA: Covalently closed-circular DNA
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
ELISA: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
HAV: Hepatitis A Virus
HBc: Hepatitis B Core protein
HBe: Hepatitis B e protein
HBeAg: Hepatitis B e Antigen
HBp: Hepatitis B Polymerase protein
HBs: Hepatitis B Surface protein(s)
HBsAg: Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (Referring to the small protein)
HBV: Hepatitis B Virus
HBx: Hepatitis B X protein
HCC: Hepatocellular Carcinoma
HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
LFT: Liver Function Test
LHBsAg: Large Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
MHBsAg: Medium/Middle Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
ORFs: Open Reading Frames
RIA: Radioimmunoassay
RNA: Ribonucleic Acid
SHBs: Small Hepatitis B Surface protein
SHBsAg: Small Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Note: Many who are well read in the sciences may find these definitions very short and incomplete whereas those without much knowledge may not be satisfied by the definitions provided. Unfortunately, I cannot provide the depth of information needed for people to learn basic biochemistry and appreciate the complexity of molecular biology currently as a web resource.

amino acid (n): the basic building components of proteins

antibody (n): a protein which possesses the ability to bind specifically to specific epitopes on another protein. Proteins on cells or viruses identified by antibodies are typically targetted for removal by the immune system

chromosome (n): long chain of DNA which contains genetic information coding for a multitude of RNA and protein

deoxyribonucleic acid (n): the basic building components of genes and chromosomes

epitope (n): a span of about six amino acids identified by antibodies. Epitopes can be either sequential or spatial in arrangement

gene (n): a specific sequence of DNA bases which encodes the information for RNA and/or proteins

hepatitis (n): from the Greek word meaning liver, this word refers to a diseased condition of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by chemical or viral attack upon the liver

protein (n): long chains of amino acids folding to create a functional structure on a molecular scale

reverse transcription(n): the act of converting an RNA sequence into a DNA sequence

ribonucleic acid (n): the basic building components of RNA strands. There are three designations for RNA strands: m, r and t. mRNA, known as messenger RNA, contains the genetic information encoding proteins. rRNA, known as ribosomal RNA, is a major component of ribosomes. tRNA, known as transfer RNA, is bound to aminoacids and isnecessary for the translation of the mRNA code into aminoacid sequences

transcription(n): the act of converting a DNA sequence into an RNA sequence. For this to occur, an RNA polymerase must be present and active

translation(n): the act of converting a nucleotide sequence into an amino acid sequence. This requires mRNA, tRNA, and ribosomes