Demonstration of subpopulations of Dane particles.

Two populations of Dane particles were isolated from the plasma of individuals carrying hepatitis B surface antigen. These populations had densities in CsCl of 1.22 and 1.20 g/ml. Endogenous DNA polymerase activity was found to be associated only with the heavier of these two populations. Using a positive stain, electron microscopic examination of these particles suggested that the heavier the particle contained nucleic acid in its core whereas the lighter particle appeared empty. Cores isolated from Dane particles with densities of 1.22 and 1.20 g/ml banded in CsCl at densities of 1.36 and 1.30 g/ml, respectively. Endogenous DNA polymerase activity was associated only with the higher density core particles.