title: RNAi-based knockdown of HBx mRNA in HBx-transformed and HBV-producing human liver cells.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is the process of sequence-specific gene silencing induced by 21-23-nt RNA of small interfering RNA (siRNA). The HBx of hepatitis B virus (HBV) causing human liver diseases has been known as a multifunctional protein which affects transcription, cell growth, and apoptotic cell death. Here, we demonstrate that the HBx-specific siRNA (siRNAx) and short hairpin RNA (shRNAx) effectively induce the degradation of HBx mRNA in HBx-transformed and HBV-producing human liver cells by up to 80-90%. Also, the HBx expression in HBx-transformed cells was continuously silenced by retransformation with the shRNAx expression vector. These results imply that HBx-driven RNAi, either delivery of siRNAx or expression of shRNAx, provides a promising anti-HBV approach to suppress the HBx expression in human hepatoma cells.
authors.affiliation: Indang Institute of Molecular Biology, Inje University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Ha
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joong Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nak Whan
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.forename: Hyune Mo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Rho
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012367:RNA, Viral; D015534:Trans-Activators; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C057628:hepatitis B virus X protein