Brief Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2009; 15(25): 3178-3182
Published online Jul 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3178
Specific activation of 2'-5'oligoadenylate synthetase gene promoter by hepatitis C virus-core protein: A potential for developing hepatitis C virus targeting gene therapy
Ying Wang, Shan-Shan Mao, Qiong-Qiong He, Yuan Zi, Ji-Fang Wen, De-Yun Feng
Ying Wang, Qiong-Qiong He, Yuan Zi, Ji-Fang Wen, De-Yun Feng, Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan Province, China
Shan-Shan Mao, Department of Pathology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Author contributions: Wang Y and Mao SS contributed equally to this work; Wang Y and Mao SS performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript; He QQ and Zi Y analyzed the data; Wen JF revised the manuscript; Feng DY provided the financial support for this work.
Correspondence to: De-Yun Feng, Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan Province, China. dyfeng743@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-731-2650410
Fax: +86-731-2650408
Received: March 7, 2009
Revised: May 25, 2009
Accepted: June 1, 2009
Published online: July 7, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To examine whether 2'-5'oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) gene promoter can be specifically activated by hepatitis C virus (HCV)-core protein.

METHODS: Human embryo hepatic cell line L02 was transfected with pcDNA3.1-core plasmid and selected by G418. Expression of HCV-core was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The OAS promoter sequence was amplified from the genomic DNA and inserted into pGL3-basic vector. The resultant pGL3-OAS-Luci plasmid was transiently transfected into L02/core cells and luciferase activity was assayed.

RESULTS: L02/core cell line stably expressing HCV-core protein was established. The pGL3-OAS-Luci construct exhibited significant transcriptional activity in the L02/core cells but not in the L02 cells.

CONCLUSION: HCV-core protein activates the OAS gene promoter specifically and effectively. Utilization of OAS gene promoter would be an ideal strategy for developing HCV-specific gene therapy.

Keywords: Hepatitis C virus; Gene promoter; Gene therapy; Core; 2'-5'oligoadenylate synthetase