Objective: To determine the effect of internal ribosome entry site (IRES)specific inhibitor RNA (IRNA) on viral gene expression mediated by HCV 5' noncoding region (NCR) in human hepatic carcinoma cell line.
Methods: Cotransfection of pCMVNCRluc containing 5'NCR-luc fusion genes and eukaryotic vectors of IRNA into human hepatic carcinoma cells (HHCC) was performed and the luciferase activity of reporter gene was measured by luminometer.
Results: pCMVNCRluc was efficiently expressed in HHCC. IRES specific IRNA significantly inhibited the expression of luc mediated by HCV IRES by 50% to 90%, but the mutant IRNA lost the activity of inhibition.
Conclusion: IRNA can inhibit HCV IRES mediated gene expression in vivo.