[The effect of hepatitis B virus X protein on the c-met promoter activity in HepG2 cells].
OBJECTIVE
To confirm the effect of hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein on the c-met promoter activity in HepG2 cells.


METHODS
The expression of c-met protein was detected by western blot in HBx-transfected HepG2 cells, the human c-met promote activity was checked by luciferase assay using five different constructs with deletion or point mutation.


RESULTS
HBx protein stimulated the expression of the c-met in HepG2 cells. The enhanced expression of c-met in HBx-transfected cells was mediated by the activation of AP-2 and SP-1 transcriptional activity at the c-met promoter region (-183bp--100bp), HBx increased the invasiveness of HepG2 cells as determined by Matrigel invasion assay.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggests that HBx induces the expression of c-met through the activation of AP-2 and SP-1 activity at the promoter region; in addition, our data indicate that HBx stimulates the invasive potential of HepG2 cells.
Xie
Bin
B
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Daping Hospital and the Field Surgery Research Institute, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China. xiebin313@yahoo.com.cn
Tang
Chun
C
Chen
Ping
P
Gou
Yuan-bin
YB
Xiao
Jing
J
DU
Hu
H
D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005814:Genes, Viral; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000378:metabolism*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D054334:Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins; C057628:hepatitis B virus X protein; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met