Suppression of hepatitis C virus core protein by short hairpin RNA expression vectors in the core protein expression Huh-7 cells.
Short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) efficiently inhibit gene expression by RNA interference. Here, we report the efficient inhibition by DNA-based vector-derived shRNAs of core protein expression in Huh-7 cells. The shRNAs were designed to target the core region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome. The core region is the most conserved region in the HCV genome, making it an ideal target for shRNAs. We identified an effective site on the core region for suppression of the HCV core protein. The HCV core protein in core protein-expressing Huh-7 cells was downregulated by core protein-shRNA expression vectors (core-shRNA-452, 479, and 503). Our results support the feasibility of using shRNA-based gene therapy to inhibit HCV core protein production.
Suzuki
Hitoshi
H
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Chiba Institute of Technology, Chiba, Japan.
Kaneko
Hiroyasu
H
Tamai
Nobushige
N
Shimotohno
Kunitada
K
Miyano-Kurosaki
Naoko
N
Takaku
Hiroshi
H
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus