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J. Virol., Feb 1995, 1160-1171, Vol 69, No. 2
CM Shih, CM Chen, SY Chen and YH Lee
We previously demonstrated that the core protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV)
can suppress gene expression and replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in
a human hepatoma cell line (HuH-7). In this study, we have characterized
the phosphorylation property of HCV core protein and examined the effect of
phosphorylation on its suppressive activity of HBV. Our results indicated
that both the full-length HCV core protein (22 kDa) and its processed or
degraded forms (14 to 18 kDa) were phosphorylated in insect cells. As
demonstrated by using the glutathione S-transferase fusion protein
expression system and in vitro transcription and translation system, the
phosphorylation of HCV core protein was carried out by protein kinase A
(PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) in vitro. In both kinase reactions, it was
determined that the phosphorylated amino acid was a serine residue. The
potential phosphorylated sites in core protein were identified as residues
Ser-53 and Ser-116 for PKA and Ser-53 and Ser-99 for PKC. Comparison of the
phosphorylation intensities of the wild type and Ser mutants suggested that
Ser-99 and Ser-116 were the major phosphorylation sites for PKC and PKA,
respectively. The phosphorylation of Ser-99 and Ser-116, but not Ser-53, in
HCV core protein was essential for the suppressive activity of HCV core
protein on HBV gene expression and replication in HuH-7 cells. Mutation of
the former two serine residues to alanine or aspartate residues led to a
drastic loss of the inhibitory effects of HCV core protein on HBV gene
expression (both transcription and antigen production) and pregenomic RNA
encapsidation, as well as the release of HBV virus particles. In contrast,
the Ser-53 mutant conferred the same level of suppressive activity as the
wild type did. This property is in accordance with the observation that
Ser-99 and Ser-116 are the predominant phosphorylation sites in the HCV
core construct. All serine mutants (including those with mutations in PKA,
PKC, and both kinase recognition sites) of HCV core protein retained the
ability to translocate into the nucleus. Furthermore, wild-type HCV core
protein diminished its suppressive activity when cells were treated with
PKA or PKC inhibitor. In conclusion, HCV core protein is a phospho-protein
and in HuH-7 cells, its trans suppression of HBV gene expression and
replication is positively regulated by PKA and PKC. The role of
phosphorylation in the control of trans-suppressive activity cannot be
reproduced by introducing an acidic residue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250
WORDS)
Copyright © 1995, American Society for Microbiology
Modulation of the trans-suppression activity of hepatitis C virus core protein by phosphorylation
Institute of Biochemistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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