title: Sequence-specific cleavage of hepatitis X RNA in cis and trans by novel monotarget and multitarget hammerhead motif-containing ribozymes.
abstract: We constructed two monoribozymes and a diribozyme against the conserved region of the X RNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV). All the ribozymes (Rzs) possessed sequence-specific cleavage activities under standard and simulated physiologic conditions. Specific cleavage was also obtained when the same Rzs were placed in cis configuration with respect to X gene in multiple combinations. Rz-expressing cells were able to specifically interfere with the functional expression of X RNA and protein production in a liver-specific cell line HepG2. Potential applications of these novel Rzs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi-110067, India.
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goila
authors.forename: Akhil C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Banerjea
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016337:RNA, Catalytic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
chemical_list: D016337:RNA, Catalytic; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015534:Trans-Activators; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C427204:hammerhead ribozyme; C057628:hepatitis B virus X protein