OBJECTIVEThe X protein of the hepatitis virus B plays an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this experiment we studied the effects of lamivudine on replication, transcription and expression of the X gene.

METHODSThe replication of transfected X gene was measured by polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA of transfected X gene was analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The expression of X protein was detected by biosensor. Moreover, we studied if these effects changed in a dose and time dependent manner.

RESULTSThe OD data of purpose band reflected the replication of X gene for control and lamivudine groups were 151.4+/-3.5 and 144.0+/-11.4, respectively. The transcription of mRNA for X gene could be inhibited by lamivudine at a concentration of 4.36 x 10(-4) mol/L for 24 h. The OD data of purpose band for control and treatment groups (16 h) were 243.9+/-9.0 and 133.2+/-7.8. The inhibition was enhanced with the increase of lamivudine concentration and reacting time. The expression of the X protein in HepG2x cells was suppressed by lamivudine at a concentration of 4.36 x 10(-4) mol/L for 16 hours. The resonance unit for expression of the X protein decreased from 353.3+/-15.9 to 252.3+/-18.8.

CONCLUSIONAlthough the replication of transfected X gene of HepG2x cells is not influenced by lamivudine, it may significantly inhibit the transcription and expression of the X protein.