OBJECTIVETo construct four expression vectors carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene under the control of different HBV promoters, and to detect and analyze their expressions in hepatoma cell lines.

METHODSFour HBV promoters were amplified using PCR, and they were inserted into the T-vector and identified using restriction enzymes and sequencing, then cloned into the expression vector pEGFP-1. The four recombinant plasmids were transfected into human hepatoma cell line HepG2 by lipofectamine2000, and the positive cell clones were detected using fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTSAll target fragments were separately obtained and successfully cloned into the expression vector. The expressions of EGFP under the control of the four promoters were detected. The expressions of EGFP controlled by different promoters had some differences.

CONCLUSIONSReporter gene EGFP under the control of four HBV promoters can be specifically expressed in hepatoma cell line HepG2, and different promoters give different results; this may provide another option in gene therapy of liver diseases.