Site-specific mutation of the hepatitis B virus enhancer II B1 element: effect on virus transcription and replication

J Gen Virol. 2001 Mar;82(Pt 3):531-535. doi: 10.1099/0022-1317-82-3-531.

Abstract

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) enhancer II (EII) is highly liver-specific and plays an important role in regulating the transcription of all HBV genes. In this report, mutational analysis on the B1F-binding site in the major functional unit of HBV EII is described. The activity of HBV EII in EII-CAT reporter plasmids was significantly decreased when the sequence of the B1F-binding site in EII was mutated. Furthermore, a single point mutation in the B1 element that aborted the binding of B1F caused a dramatic decrease in viral gene transcription initiated from the HBV core promoter, which resulted in a reduction of the production of the HBV e antigen and pregenomic RNA, the template for viral DNA replication. In conclusion, the interaction of B1F with its target binding sequence in the EII region is crucial for liver-specific transcription and DNA replication of the virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Replication
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral*
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis B virus / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • NR5A2 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors