Effects of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b core protein on the gene expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in HepG2 cells

Objective To investigate the effects of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b core protein on the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the HepG2 cell and to study the relationship of core protein and cell apoptosis.Methods The gene of HCV-1b-C was amplified by RT-PCR, and then it was inserted into pcDNA3.1 (-) to construct the expression plasmid pcDNA3.1 (-) /HCV-1b-C by double enzyme-cut.To transfect the HepG2 cell with recombination expression vector, pcDNA3.1 (-) / HCV-1b-C, by lipofectamine.The expression of HCV C mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot respectively.And then, detect the effects of HCV-1b-C on the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 gene in the HepG2 cell by RT-PCR and Western Blot, and set groups transfect with the plasmid pcDNA3.1 (-) and normal groups as control.Results The expression vector pcDNA3.1 (-) / HCV-1b-C was constructed successfully;And then, HCV C protein was expressed in the HepG2 cell line by transfection;For the corresponding mRNA and protein expression of Bax were lower in the groups transfected with HCV-1b-C compare to those in the groups transfected with the empty plasmid and normal groups (P<0.01) ;For the corresponding mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 were higher in the groups transfected with HCV-1b-C than those of in groups transfected with the empty plasmid and normal groups (P<0.01) .Conclusion The expression of genotype 1b HCV C in the HepG2 cell can reduce the expression of Bax and increase the expression of Bcl-2, leading to decrease in the ratio of Bax /Bcl-2, considering one of the mechanism of HepG2 cell escape from cell apoptosis.