OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) encoded by the human hepatitis C virus RNA genome could affect the expression of the survivin gene.

METHODSHCV NS5A expression plasmid (pCNS5A) was transfected into HepG2 cells using a lipofectin reagent and the HCV NS5A protein was detected using immuno-histochemistry staining. Survivin mRNA was evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the expression of survivin protein was detected using Western blot.

RESULTSHCV NS5A protein was detected in the cytoplasm of the HepG2 cells transfected with pCNS5A, and the expressions of survivin mRNA and survivin protein were both up-regulated in the presence of the HCV NS5A protein.

CONCLUSIONSHCV NS5A protein can stimulate survivin protein expression, and this might be the result of the strengthening of the survivin gene transcription.