[HCV DF protein inhibits expression of p16 and p21 in HepG₂ cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of HCV DF (Double-shift F) protein on the expression p16 and p21 in HepG(2); cells.


METHODS
DF gene was amplificated from the whole HCV 1b genome, and cloned into pCDNA3.0 vecter. The recombinant plasmid (pCDNA3.0/HCV-DF) and empty vector were transfected into HepG(2); cells. Screening was performed with G418. p16 and p21 mRNA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and protein by Western blot.


RESULTS
Stable expression of the recombinant plasmid was found in HCV DF protein. The expression of p16 and p21 in HepG();2 cells transfected with pCDNA3.0/HCV-DF were lower than those with blank plasmid.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV DF protein inhibits expression of p16 and p21 in HepG(2); cells. This suggested that HCV DF protein may participate in the progress of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Wang
Hao-Peng
HP
Department of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
Zhang
Yun
Y
Yang
Jing-Jing
JJ
Wang
Jie
J
Deng
Xiao-Zhao
XZ
Xu
Ke
K
D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D019942:Genes, p16 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014162:Transfection; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins