[Effect of mutation (T1762A1764) on hepatitis B virus core promoter activity].
OBJECTIVE
With the knowledge that the substituted mutation of T1762A1764 in hepatitis B virus (HBV) core promoter (CP) region was the most common variation during chronic HBV infection, we proceed to study the role that the mutation T1762A1764 plays in effecting the core promoter.


METHODS
Seven patients with fulminant hepatitis and one asymptomatic HBV carrier were investigated for screening T1762A1764 mutation by cloning and PCR products direct sequencing. PCR products containing HBV precore/core gene regulatory sequences were directly cloned into chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expressing plasmid. CAT assay was done to compare CAT expressing level after transfecting into HepG2 cell line and transient expression.


RESULTS
Results reveal that T1762A1764 mutation was the main factor that represses CAT expression in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the several other variations within hepatitis B virus' core promoter region, T1762A1764 mutation has mainly affected the down-regulating activity of core promoter.
Guo
Y
Y
Department of Infectious Disease, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou.
Feng
X
X
Dai
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D015500:Chloramphenicol O-Acetyltransferase