Through induction of juxtaposition and tyrosine kinase activity of Jak1, X-gene product of hepatitis B virus stimulates Ras and the transcriptional activation through AP-1, NF-kappaB, and SRE enhancers

Study of alloferon, a novel immunomodulatory antimicrobial peptide (AMP), and its analogues

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely distributed throughout the biosphere and represent a class of conserved peptide molecules with intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and low risk to induce resistance have led to increased interest in AMPs as potential alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Among the AMPs, alloferon has been addressed due to its immunomodulatory properties that augment both innate and adaptive immune responses against various pathogens. Alloferon and its analogues have demonstrated pharmaceutical potential through their ability to enhance Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and stimulate interferon (IFN) synthesis in both mouse and human models. Additionally, they have shown promise in augmenting antiviral and antitumor activities in mice. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the biological effects of alloferon and its analogues, incorporating our own research findings as well. These insights may contribute to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of these novel AMPs.

Regulation of Pattern-Recognition Receptor Signaling by HBX During Hepatitis B Virus Infection

As a small DNA virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV) plays a pivotal role in the development of various liver diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Among the molecules encoded by this virus, the HBV X protein (HBX) is a viral transactivator that plays a vital role in HBV replication and virus-associated diseases. Accumulating evidence so far indicates that pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are at the front-line of the host defense responses to restrict the virus by inducing the expression of interferons and various inflammatory factors. However, depending on HBX, the virus can control PRR signaling by modulating the expression and activity of essential molecules involved in the toll-like receptor (TLR), retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor (RLR), and NOD-like receptor (NLR) signaling pathways, to not only facilitate HBV replication, but also promote the development of viral diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the mechanisms that are linked to the regulation of PRR signaling mediated by HBX to inhibit innate immunity, regulation of viral propagation, virus-induced inflammation, and hepatocarcinogenesis. Given the importance of PRRs in the control of HBV replication, we propose that a comprehensive understanding of the modulation of cellular factors involved in PRR signaling induced by the viral protein may open new avenues for the treatment of HBV infection.

Human Herpesvirus 6A Tegument Protein U14 Induces NF-κB Signaling by Interacting with p65

Viral infection induces host cells to mount a variety of immune responses, which may either limit viral propagation or create conditions conducive to virus replication in some instances. In this regard, activation of the NF-κB transcription factor is known to modulate virus replication. Human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A), which belongs to the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily, is frequently found in patients with neuroinflammatory diseases, although its role in disease pathogenesis has not been elucidated. In this study, we found that the HHV-6A-encoded U14 protein activates NF-κB signaling following interaction with the NF-κB complex protein, p65. Through induction of nuclear translocation of p65, U14 increases the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 transcripts. We also demonstrated that activation of NF-κB signaling is important for HHV-6A replication, since inhibition of this pathway reduced virus protein accumulation and viral genome copy number. Taken together, our results suggest that HHV-6A infection activates the NF-κB pathway and promotes viral gene expression via late gene products, including U14. IMPORTANCE Human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) is frequently found in patients with neuro-inflammation, although its role in the pathogenesis of this disease has not been elucidated. Most viral infections activate the NF-κB pathway, which causes the transactivation of various genes, including those encoding proinflammatory cytokines. Our results indicate that HHV-6A U14 activates the NF-κB pathway, leading to upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. We also found that activation of the NF-κB transcription factor is important for efficient viral replication. This study provides new insight into HHV-6A U14 function in host cell signaling and identifies potential cellular targets involved in HHV-6A pathogenesis and replication.

Host Transcription Factors in Hepatitis B Virus RNA Synthesis

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronically infects over 250 million people worldwide and is one of the leading causes of liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV persistence is due in part to the highly stable HBV minichromosome or HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) that resides in the nucleus. As HBV replication requires the help of host transcription factors to replicate, focusing on host protein–HBV genome interactions may reveal insights into new drug targets against cccDNA. The structural details on such complexes, however, remain poorly defined. In this review, the current literature regarding host transcription factors’ interactions with HBV cccDNA is discussed.

A novel HBx genotype serves as a preoperative predictor and fails to activate the JAK1/STATs pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Genetic variability in the hepatitis B virus X gene (HBx) is frequently observed and is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. However, a genotype classification based on the full-length HBx sequence and the impact of genotypes on hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC prognosis remain unclear. We therefore aimed to perform this genotype classification and assess its clinical impact.

METHODS

We classified the genotypes of the full-length HBx gene through sequencing and a cluster analysis of HBx DNA from a cohort of patients with HBV-related HCC, which served as the primary cohort (n = 284). Two independent HBV-related HCC cohorts, a validation cohort (n = 171) and a serum cohort (n = 168), were used to verify the results. Protein microarray assay analysis was performed to explore the underlying mechanism.

RESULTS

In the primary cohort, the HBx DNA was classified into 3 genotypes: HBx-EHBH1, HBx-EHBH2, and HBx-EHBH3. HBx-EHBH2 (HBx-E2) indicated better recurrence-free survival and overall survival for patients with HCC. HBx-E2 was significantly correlated with the absence of liver cirrhosis, a small tumor size, a solitary tumor, complete encapsulation and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A-0 tumors. Additionally, HBx-E2 served as a significant prognostic factor for patients with BCLC stage B HCC after hepatectomy. Mechanistically, HBx-E2 is unable to promote proliferation in HCC cells and normal hepatocytes. It also fails to activate the Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/STAT5 pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our study identifies a novel HBx genotype that is unable to promote the proliferation of HCC cells and suggests a potential marker to preoperatively predict the prognosis of patients with BCLC stage B, HBV-associated, HCC.

LAY SUMMARY

We classified a novel genotype of the full-length hepatitis B virus X gene (HBx), HBx-E2. This genotype was identified in tumor and nontumor tissues from patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. HBx-E2 could preoperatively predict the prognosis of patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma, after resection.

Calorie restriction modulates redox-sensitive AP-1 during the aging process

Oxidative stress is claimed to be a major cause of aging. Recent data suggest that calorie restriction (CR) prolongs life span by its ability to retard aging, possibly by regulating the intracellular redox status through its antioxidative actions. Currently, there is little information showing the influences of age and CR on the redox-sensitive transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1). In the present study, we investigated how age affects the status of AP-1 and whether CR modulates the age effect. For our study, we used the kidney from male Fischer 344 rats, ages 6, 12, 18, and 24 months fed ad libitum (AL) or a CR diet. Results from our study showed that AP-1 binding activity markedly increases with age, while CR keeps this activity at the level of 6-month-old rats. We found that c-Jun and c-Fos protein levels increase during aging, and that aging induces phosphorylation of c-Jun, which might enhance AP-1 transcriptional activity. For CR's action, we found that in the nucleus of aged rats, AP-1 activation was blunted by decreasing c-Jun and c-Fos levels and inhibiting c-Jun protein phosphorylation. Results also indicated that matrix metalloproteinase-13 and heme oxygenase-1, which have an AP-1 binding site in their promoter regions, have a similar tendency toward AP-1 binding activity. Based on the data of these findings, we concluded that AP-1 activity increases in rat kidney with age and that CR reduces AP-1 activity.

Hepatitis B virus X protein inhibits extracellular IFN-α-mediated signal transduction by downregulation of type I IFN receptor

We have previously shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) protein X (HBX), a regulatory protein of HBV, activates Stat1, leading to type I interferon (IFN) production. Type I IFN secreted from HBX-expressing hepatic cells enforces antiviral signals through its binding to the cognate type I IFN receptor. We therefore investigated how cells handle this detrimental situation. Interestingly, compared to Chang cells stably expressing an empty vector (Chang-Vec), Chang cells stably expressing HBX (Chang-HBX) showed lower levels of IFN-α receptor 1 (IFNAR1) protein, a subunit of type I IFN receptor. The levels of IFNAR1 transcripts detected in Chang-HBX cells were lower than the levels in Chang-Vec cells, indicating that HBX regulates IFNAR1 at the transcriptional level. Moreover, we observed that HBX induced the translocation of IFNAR1 to the cytoplasm. Consistent with these observations, HBX also downregulated Tyk2, which is required for the stable expression of IFNAR1 on the cell surface. Eventually, Chang-HBX cells consistently maintained a lower level of IFNAR1 expression and displayed no proper response to IFN-α, while Chang-Vec cells exhibited a proper response to IFN-α treatment. Taken together, we propose that HBX downregulates IFNAR1, leading to the avoidance of extracellular IFN-α signal transduction.

Knockdown of HBV surface antigen gene expression by a lentiviral microRNA-based system inhibits HBV replication and HCC growth

Current options for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, a common liver cancer risk factor, are limited. While RNA interference (RNAi) technologies have been shown to inhibit HBV replication, the consequent effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell growth are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of RNAi-mediated decrease in the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) gene on HBV replication and HCC growth. A lentiviral microRNA-based system expressing siRNAs targeting the HBsAg gene (LVshHBS) was developed and transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells (HBV stably expressing line). We found that LVshHBS significantly inhibited the HBsAg mRNA and protein levels in the HepG2.2.15 cells, while HBsAg secretion into the culture supernatant decreased by 70%. BALB/c (nu/nu) mice were injected with HepG2.2.15 cells transduced with LVshHBS or control vectors to investigate the effect of inhibiting the HBsAg on the development of tumour growth in a human HCC nude mice model. Compared with the control, the tumour growth in nude mice was significantly decreased after injection with LVshHBS. Microarray analysis of tumour-related genes in LVshHBS-transduced HepG2.2.15 cells showed that the expressions of genes involved in cell cycle, differentiation and oncogenesis such as ACP2, BHLHB2, CLK3, CTSC, FOS, NR1D1, PIM1 and SEPT6 genes were downregulated, while that of the E2F3 gene was upregulated. In conclusion, lentiviral microRNA-based RNAi against the HBsAg gene not only inhibits HBV replication but also inhibits the growth of HCC. Downregulation of growth-related genes is implicated in this mechanism of inhibition.

Hepatitis B virus protein X-induced expression of the CXC chemokine IP-10 is mediated through activation of NF-kappaB and increases migration of leukocytes

Interferon-gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10) involves inflammatory cell recruitment and cellular immune damage during virus infection. Although an increase of the peripheral IP-10 level is known in HBV-infected patients, the molecular basis of HBV infection inducing IP-10 expression has remained elusive. In the present study, we demonstrate that hepatitis B virus protein X (HBx) increases IP-10 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Transfection of the HBx-expressing vector into HepG2 cells results in nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, which directly binds the promoter of IP-10 at positions from -122 to -113, thus facilitating transcription. The addition of the NF-kappaB inhibitor blocks the effect of HBx on IP-10 induction. In parallel, increase of NF-kappaB subunits p65 and p50 in HepG2 cells also augments IP-10 expression. Furthermore, we show that HBx induces activation of NF-kappaB through the TRAF2/TAK1 signaling pathway, leading to up-regulation of IP-10 expression. As a consequence, up-regulation of IP-10 may mediate the migration of peripheral blood leukocytes in a NF-kappaB-dependent manner. In conclusion, we report a novel molecular mechanism of HBV infection inducing IP-10 expression, which involves viral protein HBx affecting NF-kappaB pathway, leading to transactivation of the IP-10 promoter. Our study provides insight into the migration of leukocytes in response to HBV infection, thus causing immune pathological injury of liver.

A novel LZAP-binding protein, NLBP, inhibits cell invasion

LXXLL/leucine zipper-containing alternative reading frame (ARF)-binding protein (LZAP) was recently shown to function as a tumor suppressor through inhibition of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. LZAP is also known as a negative regulator of cell invasion, and its expression was demonstrated to be reduced in several tumor tissues. However, the molecular mechanism of the negative effect of LZAP on cell invasion is unclear. In this study, we identify NLBP as a novel LZAP-binding protein using tandem affinity purification. We demonstrate the negative effects of NLBP on cell invasion and the NF-kappaB signaling pathway. NLBP expression was not detected in hepatocellular carcinoma cells with strong invasive activity, whereas its expression was detected in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line with no invasive activity. We also demonstrate that these two proteins mutually affect the stability of each other by inhibiting ubiquitination of the other protein. Based on these results, we suggest that NLBP may act as a novel tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell invasion, blocking NF-kappaB signaling, and increasing stability of the LZAP protein.

Raf-1 and protein kinase B regulate cell survival through the activation of NF-kappaB in hepatitis B virus X-expressing cells

We previously demonstrated that activation of NF-kappaB by the hepatitis B virus X (HBx) gene plays an important role in cell survival. In the present study, we explored the upstream mediators of NF-kappaB activation and their correlations with cell survival. XTT assays and colony generation assays revealed that inhibition of NF-kappaB activation indeed increased cell death in HBx-expressing cells. Utilizing inactivating mutants of signal transducers, we showed that dominant negative mutants of stress-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (SEK1) or PKCalpha significantly diminished the HBx-mediated NF-kappaB activation. However, neither of these mutants significantly affected the cell survival in colony generation assays. In contrast, inactivating mutants of Raf-1 or PKB (protein kinase B)/Akt abrogated the HBx-mediated NF-kappaB activation and also suppressed the cell survival. Our results suggest that the Raf-1 or PKB-mediated NF-kappaB activation promotes cell survival in HBx-expressing cells.

Hepatitis B virus pre-S mutants, endoplasmic reticulum stress and hepatocarcinogenesis

Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been documented to cause hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the exact role of HBV in the development of HCC remains enigmatic. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the potential mechanism, including insertional mutagenesis of HBV genomes and transcriptional activators of HBV gene products such as hepatitis B x protein (HBx) and truncated middle S mutants. In the past few years, we have identified two types of large HBV surface antigens (LHBs) with deletions at the pre-S1 (DeltaS1-LHBs) and pre-S2 (DeltaS2-LHBs) regions in ground glass hepatocytes. The pre-S mutant LHBs are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and escape from immune attack. The pre-S mutants, particularly DeltaS2-LHBs, are increasingly prevalent in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic HBV infection, ranging from 6% before the 3rd decade to 35% in the 6th decade. In HCC patients, the two pre-S mutants were detected in 60% of HCC patients, in the serum and in HCC tissues. Pre-S mutant LHBs can initiate ER stress to induce oxidative DNA damage and genomic instability. Furthermore, pre-S mutant LHBs can upregulate cyclooxygenase-2 and cyclin A to induce cell cycle progression and proliferation of hepatocytes. In transgenic mice, the pre-S mutants can induce dysplasia of hepatocytes and development of HCC. In a nested control study, the presence of pre-S mutants carried a high risk of developing HCC in HBV carriers. In summary, the findings we describe in this review suggest a potential role for HBV pre-S mutants in HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis, providing a model of viral carcinogenesis associated with ER stress.

Enhanced nuclear factor-kappa B-associated Wnt-1 expression in hepatitis B- and C-related hepatocarcinogenesis: identification by functional proteomics

Chronic infections with hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) are etiologically linked to hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both viruses may induce activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in hepatocytes that plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell growth and apoptosis. Functional proteomics analysis of proteins associated with NF-kappaB signaling complexes in both viruses-related HCC tumor and non-tumor tissues may disclose possible common mechanisms in hepatocarcinogenesis. By functional proteomics, we analyzed proteins associated with NF-kappaB-signaling complexes in four-paired human HCC tumor and non-tumor tissues from HBV- and HCV-infected patients, respectively, and in one-paired tissue with dual viral infection. The quantity of NF-kappaB-associated proteins was semi-quantitatively measured by protein spot intensity on the gels of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results showed that overexpression of NF-kappaB-associated Wnt-1 protein in tumor part was detected in the majority of HBV- and HCV-infected HCC samples. These data suggest that enhanced expression of NF-kappaB-associated Wnt-1 protein might be a mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis common to HBV- and HCV-infected patients. NF-kappaB signaling pathway and Wnt-1 protein could be potential targets for designing highly effective therapeutic agents in treating HCC and for chemoprevention of hepatocarcinogenesis.

Leukemia virus long terminal repeat activates NFkappaB pathway by a TLR3-dependent mechanism

The long terminal repeat (LTR) region of leukemia viruses plays a critical role in tissue tropism and pathogenic potential of the viruses. We have previously reported that U3-LTR from Moloney murine and feline leukemia viruses (Mo-MuLV and FeLV) upregulates specific cellular genes in trans in an integration-independent way. The U3-LTR region necessary for this action does not encode a protein but instead makes a specific RNA transcript. Because several cellular genes transactivated by the U3-LTR can also be activated by NFkappaB, and because the antiapoptotic and growth promoting activities of NFkappaB have been implicated in leukemogenesis, we investigated whether FeLV U3-LTR can activate NFkappaB signaling. Here, we demonstrate that FeLV U3-LTR indeed upregulates the NFkappaB signaling pathway via activation of Ras-Raf-IkappaB kinase (IKK) and degradation of IkappaB. LTR-mediated transcriptional activation of genes did not require new protein synthesis suggesting an active role of the LTR transcript in the process. Using Toll-like receptor (TLR) deficient HEK293 cells and PKR(-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts, we further demonstrate that although dsRNA-activated protein kinase R (PKR) is not necessary, TLR3 is required for the activation of NFkappaB by the LTR. Our study thus demonstrates involvement of a TLR3-dependent but PKR-independent dsRNA-mediated signaling pathway for NFkappaB activation and thus provides a new mechanistic explanation of LTR-mediated cellular gene transactivation.

The conserved amino-terminal region (amino acids 1–20) of the hepatitis B virus X protein shows a transrepression function

The X protein of hepatitis B virus or HBx is a multifunctional regulatory protein that carries the fame of a promiscuous transactivator. Although, the N-terminal 'A' region of HBx (amino acids 1-20) is the most conserved region among mammalian hepadnavirus genomes, it has been found to be dispensable for transactivation function [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 1996, 5647]. To elucidate its biological role, DNA sequence corresponding to the A region of X gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned as a 72 base pair HBx mutant X17. In order to augment the intracellular biochemical stability of the expressed protein, the monomeric X17 was multimerized and 2-10 units long tandem repeats of the A region (X17-n) were cloned in a mammalian expression vector. Expression of the X17 constructs was confirmed by in vitro transcription and translation, as well as by RT-PCR after transfection in hepatoma cells. The function of X17 was investigated using the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter constructs of viral (RSV-LTR, HIV1-LTR and HBx) and cellular gene promoters (c-Jun and epidermal growth receptor). Not only did the X17 multimers inhibit the HBx-mediated transactivation of all the reporter genes, but also their basal activities. The inhibition was dependent on the amount of X17 plasmid transfected in cells as well as on the number of repeat units present in the X17 expression vectors. Further, the X17-related inhibition of transactivation was not a cytotoxic effect. Thus, our data suggests that the N-terminal 'A' domain of HBx has a negative regulatory function.

Transgenic mice expressing hepatitis B virus X protein are more susceptible to carcinogen induced hepatocarcinogenesis

The hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein is thought to be implicated in the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its exact function remains controversial. To investigate whether the expression of the HBx gene alone can induce HCC on an inbred C57BL/6 strain that displays a lower spontaneous rate of liver cancer, and to determine if HBx transgenic mice are more susceptible to the effects of hepatocarcinogens, C57-TgN (HBx) X transgenic mice were bred with normal C57BL/6 mice strain. The F1 mice (about 50% HBx positive and 50% HBx negative) were treated with a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at 7 days of age, or were untreated. Mice were killed at appropriate time points and were analyzed for histological change in the liver. The expression of HBx protein were examined by using immunohistochemical staining. Glycogen storage foci were examined by using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. In HBx transgenic mice untreated with DEN, HBx expression and glycogen storage foci were always observed in the liver after 8 weeks, but not obvious histological pathologic changes. Histological examination of liver tissue confirmed that DEN-treated HBx mice developed approximately twice as many focal lesions of basophilic hepatocytes as treated wild-type littermates. Hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas were also more frequent in DEN-treated HBx-positive than HBx-negative mice. Taken together, our results suggest that HBx gene expression alone is not sufficient for carcinogenesis, but may act as a promoter for malignant transformation.

Activating mechanism of transcriptor NF-kappaB regulated by hepatitis B virus X protein in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the mechanism and significance of NF-κB activation regulated by hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: The expression levels of HBx, p65, IκB-α and ubiquitin were detected by immunohistochemistry in HCC tissue microarrays (TMA) respectively, and IκB-α was detected by Western blot in HCC and corresponding liver tissues.

RESULTS: The percentage of informative TMA samples was 98.8% in 186 cases with a total of 367 samples. Compared with corresponding liver tissues (60.0%), the HBx expression was obviously decreased in HBV-associated HCC (47.9%, u = 2.24, P < 0.05). On the contrary, the expressions of p65 (20.6% vs 45.3%, u = 4.85, P < 0.01) and ubiquitin (8.9% vs 59.0%, u = 9.68, P < 0.01) were notably elevated in HCC. In addition, IκB-α had a tendency to go up. Importantly, positive relativity was observed between HBx and p65 (χ² = 10.26, P < 0.01), p65 and IκB-α (χ² = 16.86, P < 0.01), IκB-α and ubiquitin (χ² = 8.90, P < 0.01) in HCC, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Both active and non-active forms of NF-κB are increased in HBV-associated HCC. Variant HBx is the major cause of the enhancement of NF-κB activity. The activation always proceeds in nucleus and the proteasome complexes play an important role in the activation.

Cloning and identification of human gene 1 transactivated by hepatitis B virus X antigen

AIM

To study the transactivation effects of HBxAg, and clone the target genes of HBxAg transactivating effects, in order to help understand the mechanism of pathogenesis of HBxAg.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to amplify the coding sequence of HBxAg. The hepatoblastoma cell HepG2 was transfected by pcDNA3.1(-) and pcDNA3.1(-)-X, respectively. Total mRNA was purified from the HepG2 cells transfected and suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) method was used to analyze the differentially expressed DNA sequence between the two groups. The sequences were searched for homologous DNA sequence from GenBank. The new DNA sequence was confirmed and the full-length coding sequence was identified according to the Kozak rule and the existence of polyadenyl signal sequences. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR)was used to amplify the new gene by using mRNA from HepG2 cell as the template. The coding sequence for the new gene was deduced according to the nucleotide sequence.

RESULTS

PCR technique was employed to amplify the coding sequence for HBxAg by using pCP10 plasmid containing whole HBV genome as the template. The recombinant plasmid expressing HBxAg was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. HepG2 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1(-) and pcDNA3.1(-)-X by lipofectamine, respectively. Total mRNA was purified from transfected HepG2 cell, and suppression subtractive hybridization method was used for the screening and identification of differentially expressed genes by these two cell groups. After sequencing, each DNA sequence was compared with the genes deposited in the GenBank and the new gene with no homology with known genes in this database was identified. Electric polymerase chain reaction was conducted for the cloning of the full-length DNA of the new gene and in conjunction with Kozak rule and the existence of polyadenyl signal sequence. RT-PCR technique was used to amplify the new gene, named as XTP1, from the mRNA of HepG2 cells. The sequence for the XTP1 gene was deposited into GenBank, and the accession number is AF488828.

CONCLUSION

A new gene named XTP1 which is transac-tivated by hepatitis B virus X protein has been successfully cloned by molecular biological methods. These results pave the way for the study of the molecular mechanism of HBxAg transactivating effects and the development of new therapy for chronic hepatitis B.

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NF-kappaB and virus infection: who controls whom

Among the different definitions of viruses, 'pirates of the cell' is one of the most picturesque, but also one of the most appropriate. Viruses have been known for a long time to utilize a variety of strategies to penetrate cells and, once inside, to take over the host nucleic acid and protein synthesis machinery to build up their own components and produce large amounts of viral progeny. As their genomes carry a minimal amount of information, encoding only a few structural and regulatory proteins, viruses are largely dependent on their hosts for survival; however, despite their apparent simplicity, viruses have evolved different replicative strategies that are regulated in a sophisticated manner. During the last years, the study of the elaborate relationship between viruses and their hosts has led to the understanding of how viral pathogens not only are able to alter the host metabolism via their signaling proteins, but are also able to hijack cellular signaling pathways and transcription factors, and control them to their own advantage. In particular, the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway appears to be an attractive target for common human viral pathogens. This review summarizes what is known about the control of NF-kappaB by viruses, and discusses the possible outcome of NF-kappaB activation during viral infection, which may benefit either the host or the pathogen.

Modulation of redox-sensitive transcription factors by calorie restriction during aging

Oxidative stress is considered to be a major cause of aging and many age-related diseases. Calorie restriction (CR) is known to retard deleterious, age-related processes. Recent studies document that CR retards the aging process by regulating the redox environment through its anti-oxidative properties. Among the key cellular components exquisitely sensitive to redox status are transcriptions factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), activator protein-1 (AP-1), and hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Based on available findings and our recent supporting evidence, we proposed to use a new term, 'molecular inflammation' to emphasize the importance of molecular reaction mechanisms distinct from chronic and fully expressed inflammatory phenomena. Currently, limited information is available on the age-related and dietary modulations of these factors. In this review, we place a major focus on the age effects of NF-kappaB, AP-1, and HIF-1 regulation, and further delineate how age-related changes are modulated by CR. Age-related increases in redox-sensitive NF-kappaB, AP-1, and HIF-1 binding activities are concluded to be associated with increased ROS and CR to modulate their activations by suppressing oxidative stress. Data on cellular regulation provide better molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying cellular redox maintenance, which may be the cross-talk between normal aging and age-associated pathogenic processes.

Hepatitis B virus X protein associated with UV-DDB1 induces cell death in the nucleus and is functionally antagonized by UV-DDB2

The hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is essential for viral infection and strongly interferes with cell growth and viability in culture. These activities involve interaction of HBx with the DDB1 subunit of UV-damaged DNA-binding factor UV-DDB. UV-DDB consists of DDB1 and a DDB2 subunit that mediates nuclear import and has recognized functions in DNA repair and E2F1-mediated transcription. Here we show that HBx retains DDB1-binding-dependent cytotoxic activities when engineered to accumulate in the nucleus but not when excluded from the nucleus. Nuclear localization of HBx does not require binding to DDB1 and remains unaffected by ectopically expressed UV-DDB subunits, indicating that HBx reaches the nuclear compartment independently of UV-DDB. Unexpectedly, HBx appears to largely exist in association with DDB1 and is in direct competition with DDB2 for binding to DDB1. Hence, HBx-mediated cell death can be relieved by increased levels of DDB2, an effect that is not observed with a naturally occurring mutant of DDB2 that lacks DDB1-binding activity. These findings indicate that HBx acts through a pathway that involves a DDB2-independent nuclear function of DDB1 and that this activity will depend on the relative concentration of DDB1 and DDB2 in cells.