title: [The effect of HCV core protein on the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in HepG2 cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein on the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2).
  
  
  METHODS
  The genes encoded HCV core protein were amplified from plasmid containing full length genome of HCV strain H77 using PCR, and were cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1. The recombinant HCV-C/pcDNA3.1 was transiently co-transfected into HepG2 cells with luciferase reporter vector containing COX-2 promotor (COX2pro1.5 kb/luc). The luciferase activity and COX-2 protein expression were detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The recombinants HCV-C/pcDNA3.1 have been constructed successfully. The luciferase activity of COX-2 promotor was activated by the expressed HCV core, and the increased protein expression of COX-2 in transfected HepG2 cells was detected by Western blot.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV core protein can activate the COX-2 promotor and induce its expression, which provides a new experimental basis for further research on relationship between COX-2 and HCV pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
authors.forename: Yan-li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Wen-tao
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Fang-lin
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhi-kai
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human