[An analysis of the features of HBx protein distributed in liver cells and its expression in E. coli].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the features of HBx protein distributed in liver cells and its expression in E. coli.


METHODS
The expression vectors encoding the full length HBx and its mutants were constructed by the routine molecular cloning method. HBx protein expression was detected using Western blotting. The distribution feature of HBx protein in liver cells was examined using the fluorescence confocal microscopy. A series of purified HBx fusion proteins were obtained by glutathione-sepharose 4B affinity chromatography.


RESULTS
The expression vectors were successfully constructed for the full length HBx and its mutants. HBx was found distributed uniformly in the nuclei but granularly in the cytoplasm of the liver cells. Under optimal conditions, the mutant GST-HBx (72-120aa) was easily degraded.


CONCLUSIONS
This study may provide a basis for further study on the biological function of HBx at the protein level.
Han
Ju-qiang
JQ
Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100850, China.
Ding
Li-hua
LH
Yuan
Bin
B
Wang
Xiao-hui
XH
Ning
Kang
K
Li
Jie-zhi
JZ
Lu
Qiu-jun
QJ
Yang
Xiao
X
Huang
Cui-fen
CF
Ye
Qi-nong
QN
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C057628:hepatitis B virus X protein; D005982:Glutathione Transferase