[Effects of partial deletion in the core promoter of hepatitis B virus genome on viral antigen expressions].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of 20/21 bp partial deletion mutation (from nt 1 748 or nt 1 747 to nt 1 767) in the core promoter (CP) region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome complicated by precore stop condon mutation at nt 1 896 on the expression of the viral antigens.


METHODS
Eukaryotic expression vector containing full-length HBV genome with the above mutations was constructed. After transfection of the recombinant HBV plasmids into HepG2 cells, the expression of the viral antigens was examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting analysis.


RESULTS
As shown by ELISA and Western blotting analysis, the amount of extracellular secretion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) along with intracellular hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in the cells transfected with vectors containing HBV genomes with partial deletion in the CP region was markedly reduced compared with that produced by wild-type HBV.


CONCLUSIONS
The mutations in question causes marked reduction in viral antigen production by HBV in comparison that by wild-type HBV.
Peng
Jie
J
Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Luo
Kang-Xian
KX
Hou
Jin-Lin
JL
Guo
Ya-Bing
YB
Wang
Zhan-Hui
ZH
D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens