Recombinant polypeptides from the human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase define three epitopes recognized by antibodies in sera from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Eight fragments derived from the HIV-1 pol gene were expressed as recombinant polypeptides in Escherichia coli. The fragments were from the portion of the pol gene that encodes the reverse transcriptase. The expressed peptides were analyzed immunologically with sera from HIV-1-infected individuals. Three distinct immunogenic epitopes were identified. These determinants are presumably located on the surface of the native reverse transcriptase. Each epitope was included in a fusion protein that was expressed at high levels in bacteria. These proteins may provide reagents of potential diagnostic value.