title: Enhanced expression of hepatitis B surface antigen by sodium butyrate in PLC/PRF/5 human hepatoma cells.
abstract: The effect of butyric acid, a natural fermentation product of colonic bacterial flora, on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression was investigated in HBsAg-positive PLC/PRF/5 human hepatoma cells. By Northern blot analysis, the levels of HBsAg mRNA increased dose-dependently using sodium butyrate (0-2 mmol/l). In transient chloramphenicol acetyltransferase plasmid transfection experiments, the HBsAg-preS2 promoter activity as well as the HBV enhancer 1 activity was stimulated by sodium butyrate, whereas the HBsAg-preS1 promoter activity was not. These results indicate that butyric acid functions as a physiological regulator of HBsAg expression through the portal blood flow and possibly contributes to increased expression ratio of preS2/S to preS1 polypeptides recognized in persistant HBV infection.
authors.affiliation: NAGASAKI UNIV,SCH MED,DEPT INTERNAL MED 1,NAGASAKI 852,JAPAN. NAGASAKI UNIV,HLTH RES CTR,NAGASAKI 852,JAPAN.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mawatari
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsutsumi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ido
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakao
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagataki