[The promoter activity of the DNA sequence corresponding to HCV 5'UTR in HepG2].
OBJECTIVE
To study the promoter activity in HepG2 cells of the DNA sequence corresponding to the HCV 5'UTR.


METHODS
Plasmids, 5'UTR-Luc(+) and 5'UTR-Luc(-) carrying the forward and reverse DNA sequences corresponding to the HCV 5'UTR respectively were constructed, and subsequently transfected into HepaG2 cells. The luciferase activity and the mRNA of the luciferase gene were then detected. The 5'UTR sequence was cloned into a GFP vector to make 5'UTR-EGFP, and then the GFP expression was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy.


RESULTS
5'UTR-Luc(+) had an obvious luciferase activity whereas 5'UTR-Luc(-) had nearly no luciferase activity. The former had a high level of luciferase mRNA while the latter could not be detected. An intense green fluorescence expression was observed in the cells transfected with the plasmid of 5'UTR-EGFP.


CONCLUSIONS
The forward DNA sequence corresponding to HCV 5'-UTR had an obvious promoter activity in hepG2 cells. It may play an important role in the replication of HCV.
Chen
Wei-xian
WX
Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400010, China.
Zhang
Juan
J
Huang
Ying
Y
Zhang
Jun
J
Tang
Ni
N
Huang
Ai-long
AL
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D004279:DNA, Viral; D008156:Luciferases