Abstract
The genomic region encoding the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein was cloned into a mammalian expression vector to study its role on the transcriptional regulation of cellular proto-oncogene and viral promoters. Using a transient transfection assay in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells, we demonstrate that the HCV core protein activates the human c-myc, Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat (LTR), and simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoters; and suppresses the c-fos promoter and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) LTR activity. The transcriptional regulation of cellular proto-oncogenes by the HCV core protein suggests possible involvement of the core protein in the deregulation of normal hepatocyte growth and hepatocarcinogenesis.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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3T3 Cells
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Animals
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Avian Sarcoma Viruses / genetics
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Base Sequence
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DNA Primers
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Gene Expression Regulation, Viral*
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HIV Long Terminal Repeat
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HIV-1 / genetics
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Hepacivirus / genetics*
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Humans
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Mice
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Promoter Regions, Genetic*
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Proto-Oncogene Mas
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
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Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
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Simian virus 40 / genetics
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Transcription, Genetic
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Viral Core Proteins / analysis
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Viral Core Proteins / genetics*
Substances
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DNA Primers
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MAS1 protein, human
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Proto-Oncogene Mas
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
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Viral Core Proteins
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nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus