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DAF-9, a cytochrome P450 regulating C. elegans larval development and adult longevity.

The daf-9 gene functions to integrate transforming growth factor-beta and insulin-like signaling pathways to regulate Caenorhabditis elegans larval development. Mutations in daf-9 result in transient dauer-like larval arrest, abnormal reproductive development, molting defects and increased adult longevity. The phenotype is sterol-dependent, and dependent on the activity of DAF-12, a nuclear hormone receptor. Genetic tests show that daf-9 is upstream of daf-12 in the genetic pathways for larval development and adult longevity. daf-9 encodes a cytochrome P450 related to those involved in biosynthesis of steroid hormones in mammals. We propose that it specifies a step in the biosynthetic pathway for a DAF-12 ligand, which might be a steroid. The surprising cellular specificity of daf-9 expression (predominantly in two sensory neurons) supports a previously unrecognized role for these cells in neuroendocrine control of larval development, reproduction and life span.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of N93S, I312T, and A333P missense mutations in two Japanese families with mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase deficiency.

Mitochondrial acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (T2) deficiency is an inborn error of ketone body and isoleucine catabolisms. Japanese patients, GK01 and GK19, were found to be compound heterozygotes of 149delC and A333P, and N93S and I312T, respectively. The latter three missense mutations were individually characterized by analyses of transient expression of the cDNAs and heat stability. A333P and I312T subunits showed aberrant electrophoretic mobility on SDS-PAGE. T2 protein was destabilized by A333P and existed as an insoluble form in the mitochondria. I312T mutation also destabilized T2 protein; however, some T2 protein was retained in soluble form and reduced residual activity was apparent. N93S mutation did not change the heat stability of T2 activity and the reduced residual activity was retained, however a considerable amount was observed in an insoluble form. The effects of mutations were interpreted based on a tertiary structural model of a subunit of the human T2. This model was constructed from the X-ray crystal structure of the homologous peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. On the basis of this model, the positions of Ala333 and Ile312 were far from the active site and the mutations would be expected to destabilize the tertiary structure of T2 subunit. By contrast, Asn93 is located near the active site and may function to maintain a local loop structure. The mutation of Asn93 could directly disrupt disposition of the active site.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗

Y265H mutator mutant of DNA polymerase beta. Proper teometric alignment is critical for fidelity.

DNA polymerases have the unique ability to select a specific deoxynucleoside triphosphate from a pool of similarly structured substrates. One of these enzymes, DNA polymerase beta, offers a simple system to relate polymerase structure to the fidelity of DNA synthesis. In this study, a mutator DNA polymerase beta, Y265H, was identified using an in vivo genetic screen. Purified Y265H produced errors at a 40-fold higher frequency than the wild-type protein in a forward mutation assay. At 37 degrees C, transient kinetic analysis demonstrated that the alteration caused a 111-fold decrease in the maximum rate of polymerization and a 117-fold loss in fidelity for G misincorporation opposite template A. Our data suggest that the maximum rate of polymerization was reduced, because Y265H was dramatically impaired in its ability to perform nucleotidyl transfer in the presence of the correct nucleotide substrate. In contrast, at 20 degrees C, the mutant protein had a fidelity similar to wild-type enzyme. Both proteins at 20 degrees C demonstrate a rapid change in protein conformation, followed by a slow chemical step. These data suggest that proper geometric alignment of template, 3'-OH of the primer, magnesium ions, dNTP substrates, and the active site residues of DNA polymerase beta are important factors in polymerase fidelity and provide the first evidence that Tyr-265 is important for this alignment to occur properly in DNA polymerase beta.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Effect of mutations in the PCSK9 gene on the cell surface LDL receptors.

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene is involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors (LDLR). Mutations in the PCSK9 gene have been associated with both hypocholesterolemia and hypercholesterolemia through 'loss-of-function' and 'gain-of-function' mechanisms, respectively. We have studied the effect of the four loss-of-function mutations R46L, G106R, N157K and R237W and the two gain-of-function mutations S127R and D374Y on the autocatalytic activity of PCSK9, as well as on the amount of the cell surface LDLR and internalization of LDL in transiently transfected HepG2 cells. The two groups of mutations did not differ with respect to autocatalytic activity of PCSK9, but they did differ with respect to the amount of cell surface LDLR and internalization of LDL. The four loss-of-function mutations had a 16% increased level of cell surface LDLR and a 35% increased level of internalization of LDL as compared with WT-PCSK9. The two gain-of-function mutations had a 23% decreased level of cell surface LDLR and a 38% decreased level of internalization of LDL as compared with WT-PCSK9. Our studies have also shown that transfer of media from transiently transfected HepG2 cells to untransfected HepG2 cells, reduces the amount of cell surface LDLR and internalization of LDL in the untransfected cells within 20 min of media transfer. Thus, PCSK9 or a factor acted upon by PCSK9, is secreted from the transfected cells and degrades LDLR both in transfected and untransfected cells.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Transactivation of the major capsid protein gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 requires a cellular transcription factor.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify and characterize the regulatory elements involved in the transcriptional activation of the beta gamma (leaky-late or gamma 1) genes of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by using the major capsid protein (VP5 or ICP5) gene as model. Gel mobility shift assays with nuclear extracts from uninfected and infected HeLa cells enabled us to identify two major protein-DNA complexes involving the VP5 promoter. The mobilities of these two complexes remained unaltered, and no unique complexes were observed when infected cell nuclear extracts were used. DNase I and orthophenanthroline-Cu+ footprint analyses revealed that the two complexes involve a single binding site, GGCCATCTTGAA, located between -64 and -75 bp relative to the VP5 cap site. To determine the function of this leaky-late binding site (LBS) in VP5 gene activation, we tested the effect of mutations in this region by using transient expression of a cis-linked chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. Deletion of the above sequence resulted in a seven- to eightfold reduction in the level of transactivation of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene by superinfection with HSV-1 or by cotransfection of HSV-1 immediate-early genes. From these results, we conclude that the LBS sequence and a cellular factor(s) are involved in the transactivation of the VP5 gene. A search of published gene sequences revealed that sequences related to the LBS exist in a number of other HSV-1, cytomegalovirus, retrovirus, and cellular promoters. Sequence homologies of binding sites and results of unpublished competition binding studies suggest that this leaky-late binding factor may be related to, or the same as, a ubiquitous cellular transcriptional factor called YY1 or common factor-1 (also known as NF-E1, delta, and UCRBP).

Base Sequence↗

An AP-1 binding site is the predominant cis-acting regulatory element in the 1.2-kilobase early RNA promoter of human cytomegalovirus.

To extend our analysis of the regulation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) early gene expression, we examined a transcription unit located in the terminal repeats of the long segment of the viral genome. This region encodes a major 1.2-kb RNA which is induced at early times in infection but undergoes its largest increase in abundance after the onset of viral DNA replication. To identify the important cis-acting regulatory elements for this gene, two constructs were prepared for use in transient expression assays. One contained 413 bp of the upstream sequence and 43 bp of the leader sequence fused to the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). The second construct included 1,722 bp upstream of the start site of the 1.2-kb RNA, the entire transcribed region with an additional 166-bp insert derived from the CAT gene as an assayable marker, and 2,393 bp downstream of the polyadenylation signal. Both constructs were individually transfected into human fibroblast cells, and the cells were infected with HCMV. RNA specified by the hybrid construct was initiated at the correct position and accumulated with the same kinetics as the authentic viral transcript at early times in the infection but did not undergo the increase in abundance at late at late times. By 5'-end-deletion analysis, we determined that the promoter for the 1.2-kb RNA contains a number of cis-acting elements, the most significant of which are the TATA-like sequence CATAAA at -30 and a sequence corresponding to the binding site for the transcription factor AP-1 at -75. Using extracts prepared from HeLa cells as well as from infected and uninfected fibroblasts in gel retardation assays, we obtained evidence for the specific interaction of a cellular factor(s) with the AP-1 binding site. The pattern of binding differed in the HeLa and fibroblast cells but did not change as a function of the HCMV infection. However, the functional importance of the AP-1 binding site and its key role in the regulation of the 1.2-kb RNA was supported by analysis of constructs containing specific point mutations at this site in gel retardation and transient expression assays. Site-specific mutations in the AP-1 consensus sequence, which resulted in the complete loss of binding to cellular factors, eliminated the basal activity and reduced the inducible promoter activity by eightfold.

Antigens, Viral↗

Identification and characterization of novel mutations of the aspartoacylase gene in non-Jewish patients with Canavan disease.

Canavan disease, an inherited leukodystrophy, is caused by mutations in the aspartoacylase (ASPA) gene. It is most common among children of Ashkenazi Jewish descent but has been diagnosed in many diverse ethnic groups. Two mutations comprise the majority of mutant alleles in Jewish patients, while mutations in the ASPA gene among non-Jewish patients are different and more diverse. In the present study, the ASPA gene was analysed in 22 unrelated non-Jewish patients with Canavan disease, and 24 different mutations were found. Of these, 14 are novel, including five missense mutations (E24G, D68A, D249V, C152W, H244R), two nonsense mutations (Q184X, E214X), three deletions (923delT, 33del13, 244delA), one insertion mutation (698insC), two sequence variations in one allele ([10T>G; 11insG]), an elimination of the stop codon (941A>G, TAG-->TGG, X314W), and one splice acceptor site mutation (IVS1 - 2A>T). The E24G mutation resulted in substitution of an invariable amino acid residue (Glu) in the first esterase catalytic domain consensus sequence. The IVS1 - 2A>T mutation caused the retention of 40 nucleotides of intron 1 upstream of exon 2. The results of transient expression of the mutant ASPA cDNA containing these mutations in COS-7 cells and assays for ASPA activity of patient fibroblasts indicated that these mutations were responsible for the enzyme deficiency. In addition, patients with the novel D249V mutation manifested clinically at birth and died early. Also, patients with certain other novel mutations, including C152W, E214X, X314W, and frame shift mutations in both alleles, developed clinical manifestations at an earlier age than in classical Canavan disease.

Amidohydrolases↗

Modulation of ultraviolet light mutational hotspots by cellular stress.

Stressful treatments of cells provoke broad, transient, changes in cellular physiology and gene expression. In addition to these effects, DNA-damaging agents often induce permanent change in the form of mutations. Mutational patterns in target genes typically show hotspots and coldspots, the molecular basis of which appears to lie in the sequence context of the particular site. We determined the mutational pattern in an ultraviolet light-modified (in vitro) marker gene in a shuttle vector passaged through repair deficient (xeroderma pigmentosum) cells and compared it with patterns obtained from cells exposed to stress imposed by a DNA-damaging agent or a calcium ionophore. We found that the mutational hotspot pattern was altered by both stress treatments. We conclude that the cellular environment can influence the probability of mutagenesis at specific sites and propose that some of these effects on mutagenesis are mediated by alterations in cellular calcium levels.

Base Sequence↗

A charge pair interaction between Arg282 in transmembrane segment 7 and Asp341 in transmembrane segment 8 of hPepT1.

PURPOSE: To determine whether R282 in transmembrane segment 7 (TMS7) of hPepT1 forms a salt bridge with D341 in TMS8. METHODS: Mutated hPepT1 transporters containing point mutations at R282 and/or D341 were transiently transfected into HEK293 cells. Their steady state expression and functional activity were measured using immunoprecipitation and 3H-gly-sar uptake, respectively. Gly-sar uptake by cysteine mutants (R282C and D341C) was also measured in the presence and absence of cysteine-modifying MTS reagents. RESULTS: The reverse-charge mutants R282D-hPepT1 and D341R-hPepT1 showed significantly reduced gly-sar uptake, but the double mutant (R282D/D341R-hPepT1) has functionality comparable to that of wild-type hPepT1. Gly-sar uptake by R282C-hPepT1 is reduced, but pre-incubation with 1 mM MTSET, a positively charged cysteine-modifying reagent, restored function to wild-type levels. Similarly, pre-incubation of D341C-hPepT1 with 10 mM MTSES, a negatively charged cysteine-modifying reagent, increased gly-sar uptake compared to unmodified D341C-hPepT1. In contrast, MTSET modification of D341C-hPepT1 (giving a positive charge at position 341) resulted in significant reduction in gly-sar uptake, compared to D341C-hPepT1. CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with a salt bridge between R282 and D341 in hPepT1, and we use these and other data to propose a role for the R282-D341 charge pair in the hPepT1 translocation mechanism.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Trafficking defects of a novel autosomal recessive distal renal tubular acidosis mutant (S773P) of the human kidney anion exchanger (kAE1).

Autosomal dominant and recessive distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) can be caused by mutations in the anion exchanger 1 (AE1 or SLC4A1) gene, which encodes the erythroid chloride/bicarbonate anion exchanger membrane glycoprotein (eAE1) and a truncated kidney isoform (kAE1). The biosynthesis and trafficking of kAE1 containing a novel recessive missense dRTA mutation (kAE1 S773P) was studied in transiently transfected HEK-293 cells, expressing the mutant alone or in combination with wild-type kAE1 or another recessive mutant, kAE1 G701D. The kAE1 S773P mutant was expressed at a three times lower level than wild-type, had a 2-fold decrease in its half-life, and was targeted for degradation by the proteasome. It could not be detected at the plasma membrane in human embryonic kidney cells and showed predominant endoplasmic reticulum immunolocalization in both human embryonic kidney and LLC-PK1 cells. The oligosaccharide on a kAE1 S773P N-glycosylation mutant (N555) was not processed to the complex form indicating impaired exit from the endoplasmic reticulum. The kAE1 S773P mutant showed decreased binding to an inhibitor affinity resin and increased sensitivity to proteases, suggesting that it was not properly folded. The other recessive dRTA mutant, kAE1 G701D, also exhibited defective trafficking to the plasma membrane. The recessive kAE1 mutants formed dimers like wild-type AE1 and could hetero-oligomerize with wild-type kAE1 or with each other. Hetero-oligomers of wild-type kAE1 with recessive kAE1 S773P or G701D, in contrast to the dominant kAE1 R589H mutant, were delivered to the plasma membrane.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

PKA-mediated phosphorylation and inhibition of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in response to beta-adrenergic hormone.

The activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase can be regulated by hormones that activate adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Here, using a site-directed phosphorylation state-specific antibody, we show that hormonal regulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase can occur via phosphorylation of Ser-943 on its alpha-subunit. cDNAs coding for wild-type rat Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in which the PKA phosphorylation site Ser-943 was mutated to Ala were stably and transiently transfected into COS cells. In COS cells expressing wild-type Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (1 microM) significantly increased the level of phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit. Phosphorylation was accompanied by a significant inhibition of the enzyme activity, as reflected by a decrease in ATP hydrolysis and 86Rb+ transport. The effect of isoproterenol was reproduced by the PKA activator forskolin used in combination with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and was abolished by the specific PKA inhibitor H-89. Okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, enhanced phosphorylation and inhibition of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase induced by isoproterenol. The changes in activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase linearly correlated with the extent of the alpha-subunit of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase being phosphorylated. When Ser-943 was replaced by alanine, stimulation of the phosphorylation and inhibition of the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase induced by isoproterenol, alone or in combination with okadaic acid, were not observed. These results indicate that, in intact cells, modulation of the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase can be achieved by regulation of the state of phosphorylation of Ser-943. Moreover, they provide a biochemical mechanism by which beta-adrenergic agonists can regulate Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Cell-specific and ubiquitous factors are responsible for the enhancer activity of the rat insulin II gene.

Pancreatic beta-cell-specific expression of the insulin gene is mediated, at least in part, by an enhancer element termed the rat insulin promoter element 3 (RIPES) found within the rat insulin II gene between positions -126 and -86. Here we identify three distinct factors interacting with RIPE3, namely 3a1, 3a2, and 3b1, which bind to the sequences between -100 to -90, -108 to -99, and -115 to -107, respectively. Factors 3a1 and 3b1 are beta-cell specific whereas 3a2 is ubiquitously distributed. The 3a1 site contains the consensus binding sequence (CANNTG) for a group of DNA-binding proteins called basic-helix-loop-helix proteins. We showed in this study that the 3a1 binding activity contains E12/E47, a member of the basic-helix-loop-helix protein family, or an E12/E47-like protein. Sequence comparison of the 3a2 and 3b1 binding sites suggest that they are unique and may bind to novel transcription factors. Mutation analysis of each individual binding site in transient expression experiments indicates that all of the three binding sites contribute to the enhancer activity of the RIPE3 in beta-cells. Mutation in any one of the three binding sites not only disrupts binding of the corresponding factor but decreases RIPE3 enhancer activity by 4-7-fold. The results suggest that interactions among the 3a1, 3a2, and 3b1 factors are required for maximum enhancer activity of the RIPE3 in insulin-producing cells.

Animals↗

Effect of mutation on the dissociation and recombination dynamics of CO in transcriptional regulator CooA: a picosecond infrared transient absorption study.

The CO ligation process in a mutant (H77G) of CooA, the CO-sensing transcriptional regulator in Rhodospirillum rubrum, is studied with femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region. Following photolyzing excitation, a transient bleach in the vibrational region of bound CO due to the CO photodissociation is detected. In contrast to the spectra of the wild-type (WT) CooA, the transient bleach spectra of H77G CooA show a bimodal shape with peaks shifting to the lower frequency during spectral evolution. The CO recombination dynamics show single-exponential behavior, and the CO escaping yield is higher than that of the WT CooA. A reorientation process of CO relative to the heme plane during recombination is revealed by anisotropy measurements. These phenomena indicate changes in the protein response to the CO ligation and suggest an alteration to the CO environment caused by the mutation. On the basis of these results, the role of His77 in the CO-dependent activation of CooA and a possible activation mechanism involving collaborative movement of the heme and the amino residues at both sides of the heme plane are discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Structural and functional analysis of the canine histamine H2 receptor by site-directed mutagenesis: N-glycosylation is not vital for its action.

G-protein-coupled receptors generally share a similar structure containing seven membrane-spanning domains and extracellular site(s) for N-glycosylation. The histamine H2 receptor is a member of the family of G-protein-coupled receptors, and has three extracellular potential sites for N-glycosylation (Asn-4, Asn-162 and Asn-168). To date, however, no information has been presented regarding N-glycosylation of the H2 receptor. To investigate the presence, location and functional roles of N-glycosylation of the H2 receptor, site-directed mutagenesis was performed to eliminate the potential site(s) for N-glycosylation singly and collectively. The wild-type and mutated H2 receptors were expressed stably in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or transiently in COS7 cells. Immunoblotting of the wild-type and mutated H2 receptors with an antiserum directed against the C-terminus of the H2 receptor showed that mutation at Asn-162, but not at Asn-168, resulted in a substantial decrease in the molecular mass. A mutation at Asn-4 led to a further decrease in the molecular mass. Tunicamycin treatment of the transfected cells yielded a sharp band with a molecular mass identical to that of the mutant devoid of all three potential sites for N-glycosylation. These findings indicate that the H2 receptor is N-glycosylated, and that N-glycosylation takes place mainly at two sites, Asn-4 and Asn-162. Neither the affinity for tiotidine nor that for histamine was affected by the mutagenesis. Immunocytochemistry and tiotidine binding showed that the mutated receptors were exclusively distributed on the cell surface in a fashion similar to that of the wild-type. In addition, the glycosylation-defective receptor was capable of activating adenylate cyclase and elevating the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in response to histamine in stable CHO cell lines. Thus N-glycosylation of the H2 receptor is not required for cell surface localization, ligand binding or functional coupling to G-protein(s).

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Evidence that TAF-TATA box-binding protein interactions are required for activated transcription in mammalian cells.

Surfaces of human TATA box-binding protein (hsTBP) required for activated transcription in vivo were defined by constructing a library of surface residue substitution mutations and assaying them for their ability to support activated transcription in transient-transfection assays. In earlier work, three regions were identified where mutations inhibited activated transcription without interfering with TATA box DNA binding. One region is on the upstream surface of the N-terminal TBP repeat with respect to the direction of transcription and corresponds to the TBP surface that interacts with TFIIA. A second region on the stirrup of the C-terminal TBP repeat corresponds to the TFIIB-binding surface. Here we report that the third region where mutations inhibit activated transcription in mammalian cells, the convex surface of the N-terminal repeat, corresponds to a surface on TBP that interacts with hsTAF1, the major scaffold subunit of TFIID. Since mutations at the center of the hsTAF1-interacting region inhibit the ability of the protein to support activated transcription in vivo, these results are consistent with the conclusion that an interaction between hsTBP and TAF(II)s is required for activated transcription in mammalian cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gene repair in mammalian cells is stimulated by the elongation of S phase and transient stalling of replication forks.

The repair of point mutations directed by modified single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides is dependent on the activity of proteins involved in homologous recombination (HR). As a consequence, factors that stimulate homologous recombination, such as double strand breaks, can impact the frequency with which repair occurs. Here, we report that the stalling of replication forks can also activate the gene repair pathway and lead to an enhanced level of nucleotide exchange. The mammalian cell line, DLD-1, containing an integrated mutant eGFP gene, was used as an assay system to explore how replication fork activity affects the overall repair reaction. The addition of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC), a nucleoside analog that retards the rate of elongation and effectively stalls the replication fork, results in a lengthened S phase and an increased number of gene repair events. This stimulation was reversed when caffeine was added to the reaction at concentrations that block the homologous recombination pathway. In contrast, the nucleoside analog, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine which stops replication in these cells, failed to stimulate the gene repair reaction to any appreciable degree until the block is released and active replication resumes. Furthermore, overexpression of wild-type p53 which is known to bind transiently to stalled replication forks blocked the stimulatory effect of ddC. Overexpression of mutant p53 genes, deficient in the capacity to bind DNA, however, did not inhibit the reaction. Our results indicate that an expansion of S phase and a transient stalling of replication forks can increase the frequency of targeted gene repair.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

TRPC6 in glomerular health and disease: what we know and what we believe.

Mutations in TRPC6, a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily of non-selective cation channels, have been identified as causing a familial form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a disease characterized by proteinuria and progressive renal failure. Here we review the effect of disease-associated mutations on TRPC6 function and place TRPC6 within the context of other proteins central to glomerular and podocyte function. Finally, the known roles of TRPC6 in the kidney and other organ systems are used as a framework to discuss possible signaling pathways that TRPC6 may modulate during normal glomerular function and in disease states.

Animals↗

[Effect of mutation (T1762A1764) on hepatitis B virus core promoter activity].

OBJECTIVE: With the knowledge that the substituted mutation of T1762A1764 in hepatitis B virus (HBV) core promoter (CP) region was the most common variation during chronic HBV infection, we proceed to study the role that the mutation T1762A1764 plays in effecting the core promoter. METHODS: Seven patients with fulminant hepatitis and one asymptomatic HBV carrier were investigated for screening T1762A1764 mutation by cloning and PCR products direct sequencing. PCR products containing HBV precore/core gene regulatory sequences were directly cloned into chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) expressing plasmid. CAT assay was done to compare CAT expressing level after transfecting into HepG2 cell line and transient expression. RESULTS: Results reveal that T1762A1764 mutation was the main factor that represses CAT expression in vitro. CONCLUSION: Among the several other variations within hepatitis B virus' core promoter region, T1762A1764 mutation has mainly affected the down-regulating activity of core promoter.

Adult↗