Impact of Nucleotide Mutations at the HNF3- and HNF4-Binding Sites in Enhancer 1 on Viral Replication in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.
- Author:
Eun Young CHO
1
;
Hyung Jin KIM
;
Channy PARK
;
Hong Seob SO
;
Rae Kil PARK
;
Haak Cheoul KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea. hckimgold@wonkwang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hepatocyte nuclear factors;
Hepatitis B virus;
Virus replication
- MeSH:
Binding Sites;
DNA;
Genome;
Hepatitis B virus;
Hepatitis B, Chronic;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factors;
Humans;
Luciferases;
Virus Replication;
Viruses
- From:Gut and Liver
2013;7(5):569-575
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome contains binding sites for hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNF) 3 and 4 in the core domain of enhancer 1 (Enh1), and mutations in this domain have a strong impact on virus replication. We aimed to identify frequent base-mutation sites in the core domain of Enh1 and to examine the impact of these mutations on viral replication. METHODS: We studied virological characteristics and genetic sequences in 387 patients with chronic hepatitis B. We evaluated functional differences associated with specific mutations within the core domain of Enh1. RESULTS: Mutations in the core domain were found with significant frequency in C1126 (122/387 [31.5%], the binding site for HNF3) and in C1134 (106/387 [27.4%], the binding site for HNF4). A single mutation at nt 1126 (C1126) was identified in 17/123 (13.8%), and 105/123 (85.4%) had double mutations (C1126/1134). The level of HBV DNA (log10 copies/mL) was lower in single mutants (C1126, 5.81+/-1.25) than in wild (6.80+/-1.65) and double mutants (C1126/1134, 6.81+/-1.54). Similarly, the relative luciferase activity of C1126 and C1126/C1134 was 0.18 and 1.12 times that of the wild-type virus, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in the HNF3 binding site inhibit viral replication, whereas mutations at the HNF4 binding site restore viral replication.
