肝癌组织中HBV核心基因启动子突变的研究

为深入了解乙肝病毒 (HBV)致癌机理 ,用套式PCR对广西 14例血清HBVDNA阳性的原发性肝癌患者癌组织、10例乙型病毒性肝炎患者血清及 10例乙肝病毒无症状携带者血清HBV核心基因启动子进行扩增 ,阳性者用Sanger氏双脱氧法做序列分析 ,发现肝癌组织 10例PCR阳性 ,阳性率 71.4 % ,所有PCR阳性标本的整合体均有乙肝病毒核心基因启动子双突变序列 (nt 176 2A→T ,176 4G→A) ,并且在其周围各序列都有不同部位的点突变 ,标本C14核苷酸的缺失突变高达10个。乙肝患者 6例PCR阳性 ,其中 3例乙肝病毒核心基因启动子发生双突变。无症状携带者中 4例PCR阳性 ,其中仅 1例发生双突变。结果提示乙肝病毒核心基因启动子双突变在肝癌患者中较常见 ,肝炎患者次之 ,无症状携带者居最后。     

肝癌组织中HBV核心基因启动子突变的研究

为深入了解乙肝病毒(HBV)致癌机理,用套式PCR对广西14例血清HBV DNA阳性的原发性肝癌患者癌组织、10例乙型病毒性肝炎患者血清及10例乙肝病毒无症状携带者血清HBV核心基因启动子进行扩增,阳性者用Sanger氏双脱氧法做序列分析,发现肝癌组织10例PCR阳性,阳性率71.4%,所有PCR阳性标本的整合体均有乙肝病毒核心基因启动子双突变序列(nt 1 762 A→T, 1 764 G→A),并且在其周围各序列都有不同部位的点突变,标本C14核苷酸的缺失突变高达10个.乙肝患者6例PCR阳性,其中3例乙肝病毒核心基因启动子发生双突变.无症状携带者中4例PCR阳性,其中仅1例发生双突变.结果提示乙肝病毒核心基因启动子双突变在肝癌患者中较常见,肝炎患者次之,无症状携带者居最后.     

肝癌组织中线粒体DNA D-Loop区碱基变异与ROS水平

为了探讨ROS水平与突变的关系,对原发性肝癌线粒体DNA区的突变情况进行研究,同时对原发性肝癌患者组织细胞内ROS进行测定。选择20例原发性肝癌组织及其邻近的癌旁组织,用PCR方法将线粒体DNA D-Loop扩增后测序。组织内ROS的水平采用流式细胞技术测定。结果表明在20对原发性肝癌组织中存在8对mtDNA突变,突变率为40%,共发现突变位点53个,包括2个插入,11个缺失,40个点突变,其中T-C,C-T的转换占75%,4个属于微卫星结构。癌组织突变一般伴有癌旁组织突变,癌组织突变位点高于癌旁组织。发现一例标本的癌组织和癌旁组织均有大片段丢失。原发性肝癌组织内ROS水平明显高于癌旁对照( P<0.01),同时我们发现在区发生突变的患者的组织中ROS水平明显高于未发生突变的肝癌组织标本（P<0.01）,发生突变的癌旁组织内ROS水平明显高于未发生突变的癌旁组织（P<0.01）。结论 (1)线粒体DNA D-Loop区是一个高度多态性和突变性的区域,在原发性肝癌中突变率较高。(2)肝癌患者组织细胞内ROS异常,提示肝癌的线粒体DNA发生的点突变及肝癌的发生可能与ROS升高有关。     

甲种胎儿球蛋白(AFP)定性定量酶联免疫试盒剂的研制

甲胎蛋白是一种癌胚相关蛋白,它在胎儿血清中含量每毫升数毫克之多,在正常人血清中低于25μg/ml,在原发性肝细胞癌者血清中甲胎蛋白的阳性率和滴度都很高,所以血清中甲胎蛋白的检测是诊断肝癌的特异指标。本方法采用双抗体夹心法原理,可定性及定量检测血清和血浆标本中甲胎蛋白含量,并配制AFP系列标准,为原发性肝癌的早期诊断及普查具有重要的临床意义。     

miR-375 在HBV相关性肝细胞癌肿瘤组织与癌旁组织中的表达

目的:比较HBV相关性肝细胞癌患者的肝癌组织与癌旁组织中miR-375的表达。方法:以西京医院进行肝癌切除术治疗的HBs Ag阳性的25例患者为研究对象,收集肝癌组织、癌旁组织及术前外周血标本,并采集相关临床信息。采用反转录和实时荧光定量PCR的方法检测组织中miR-375的表达水平。结果:本研究共收集的25例肝癌患者HBs Ag均为阳性,在肝癌组织中miR-375的表达水平为2.51×10-3±3.61×10-3,显著低于在癌旁组织中的表达水平(15.23×10-3±20.85×10-3;t=3.12,P0.05)。结论:miR-375在HBV相关性肝细胞癌肝癌组织中表达显著下调。     

肝癌组织中HBV核心基因启动了突变的研究

为深入了解乙肝病毒（ＨＢＶ）致癌机理,用磁式ＰＣＲ对广西１４例血清ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ阳性的原发性肝癌患者癌组织、１０例乙型病毒性肝炎患者血清及１０例乙肝病毒无症状携带者血清ＨＢＶ核心基因启动子进行扩增,阳性者用Ｓａｎｇｅｒ氏双脱氧法做序列分析,发现肝癌组织１０例ＰＣＲ阳性,阳性率７１．４％,所有ＰＣＲ阳性标本的整合体均有乙肝病毒核心基因启动子双突变序列（ｎｔ１７６２Ａ→Ｔ,１７６４Ｇ→Ａ）,并且在其财     

肝癌病人血清中丙型肝炎病毒E2／NS1基因区cDNA的克隆及序列分析

从一个抗丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）阳性的肝细胞癌（ＨＣＣ）病人血清中提取ＲＮＡ,随机引物逆转录为ｃＤＮＡ后,用ＨＣＶ特异引物进行聚合酶链反应。将扩增产的７８０ｂｐ插入ｐＵＣ１８和ｐＵＣ１９质粒载体,双脱氧链末端终止法测定其序列。与慢性丙型肝炎病人或携带者血清中的ＨＣＶ序列比较,核苷酸同源性介乎６９．２３％－８９．１０％,氨基酸同源性介乎７４．５９％－９０．５７％,分析表明,此序列属于１组Ⅱ型。本文结果     

原发性肝癌ATM基因启动子甲基化及其与放疗疗效的相关性

为探究原发性肝癌(hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC)共济失调-毛细血管扩张突变基因(ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene, ATM)启动子甲基化情况,分析其与临床特征的关系及与放疗疗效的相关性,采用甲基化特异性PCR法(methylation-specific PCR, MSP)检测50对肝癌手术标本及相应的癌旁肝组织标本、20例正常肝组织、38例局部中晚期肝癌肝穿刺标本的ATM基因启动子甲基化状态,并采用BSP (bisulfite sequencing PCR)测序法对样本的甲基化状态进行验证,分析ATM基因启动子甲基化状态与患者临床特征的关系及与放疗疗效的相关性。结果发现, 88例肝癌组织中ATM基因启动子甲基化率为39.8%(35/88),其中38例肝癌肝穿刺标本有42.1%(16/38)存在ATM基因启动子甲基化, 50例肝癌手术标本有38%(19/50)存在ATM基因启动子甲基化,相应癌旁肝组织只有8.0%(4/50)存在ATM基因启动子甲基化;正常肝组织未发现有ATM基因启动子甲基化, ATM基因启动子甲基化在肝癌组织中的发生率与癌旁肝组织、正常肝组织相比差异具有统计学意义(χ2=24.818,P0.05)。此外,存在ATM基因启动子甲基化的局部中晚期肝癌患者的放疗疗效显著优于无甲基化的病例(χ2=5.955,P=0.015), ATM基因启动子甲基化状态与肝癌放疗疗效呈显著正相关关系(r=0.396, P=0.014)。实验结果表明原发性肝癌ATM基因启动子存在异常甲基化, ATM基因启动子甲基化状态与肝癌放疗疗效关系密切,可为筛选放射敏感差异病人提供新的思路。     

中国青藓科研究研究资料（Ⅱ）

根据Ｊｏｓ．Ｇｉｒａｌｄｉ １８９０至１８９６年在中国陕西省采集的青藓属标本１３份,１８９６至１８９８年Ｃａｒｏｌｏ Ｍｕｅｌｌｅｒ发表了青藓属的１３个新种。笔者向佛罗伦萨大学植物标本馆借阅了上述类群的标本,其中主模式标本９份,等模式标本３份和由Ｃ．Ｍｕｅｌｌｅｒ鉴定的标本１份。经过对这些标本逐一鉴定并进行形态性状的测量,本文订正了部分学名,提出了３个新异名,１个新组合。     

原位杂交检测石蜡包埋组织中丙型肝炎病毒RNA

为了提高ＨＣＶＲＮＡ的原位杂交检出率,我们应用地高辛标记ＨＣＶ５＇非编码区ｃＤＮＡ作探针,采用原位分子杂交法对９６Ｎ肝硬变,１０２例肝细胞肝癌进行了ＨＣＶＲＮＡ检测,并结合不同年份标本中ＨＣＶＲＮＡ的检出率,探讨ＨＣＶＲＮＡ在肝脏的分布及其丢失问题．结果显示ＨＣＶＲＮＡ定位于肝细胞和肝癌细胞胞浆内,肝脏其它细胞未见明确阳性杂交信号。ＨＣＶＲＮＡ杂交阳性细胞呈灶状和弥漫分布,正常对照、替代、空白对照为阴性,在不同年份肝硬变及肝细胞肝癌中两两比较表明新近包埋蜡块组织较陈旧蜡块组织ＨＣＶ　ＲＮＡ检出率明显高。本文结果证实ＨＣＶＲＮＡ存在于肝细胞和癌细胞的胞浆内,未见肝内其它细胞阳性,还发现ＨＣＶＲＮＡ在肝硬变、肝细胞癌中的检出率随保存时间的延长,其阳性检出率明显降低,表明ＨＣＶＲＮＡ在蜡块中存在明显的降解,应尽可能选用近期标本、为临床分析ＨＣＶ感染,ＨＣＶ与肝硬变、肝细胞肝癌的关系提供更客观的数据。     

Investigation of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Anti-HBc Positive Patients from a Liver Clinic

Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is manifested by presence of very low levels (<200IU/mL) of Hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV DNA) in the blood and the liver while exhibiting undetectable HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). The molecular mechanisms underlying this occurrence are still not completely understood. This study investigated the prevalence of OBI in a high-risk Australian population and compared the HBV S gene sequences of our cohort with reference sequences. Serum from HBV DNA positive, HBsAg negative, and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive patients (study cohort) were obtained from samples tested at SEALS Serology Laboratory using the Abbott Architect, as part of screening and diagnostic testing. From a total of 228,108 samples reviewed, 1,451 patients were tested for all three OBI markers. Only 10 patients (0.69%) out of the 1,451 patients were found to fit the selection criteria for OBI. Sequence analysis of the HBV S gene from 5 suspected OBI infected patients showed increased sequence variability in the ‘a’ epitope of the major hydrophilic region compared to reference sequences. In addition, a total of eight consistent nucleotide substitutions resulting in seven amino acid changes were observed, and three patients had truncated S gene sequence. These mutations appeared to be stable and may result in alterations in HBsAg conformation. These may negatively impact the affinity of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and may explain the false negative results in serological HBV diagnosis. These changes may also enable the virus to persist in the liver by evading immune surveillance. Further studies on a bigger cohort are required to determine whether these amino acid variations have been acquired in the process of immune escape and serve as markers of OBI.     

DNA-binding activity of hepatitis B e antigen polypeptide lacking the protaminelike sequence of nucleocapsid protein of human hepatitis B virus.

The characteristics of binding of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) polypeptides to hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were analyzed. HBcAg polypeptide from recombinant HBV core particles and HBeAg polypeptide from partially purified serum HBeAg were prepared and verified to have molecular weights of 21,500 (P21.5) and of 17,000 (P17) and 18,000 (P18), respectively, by immunoblot analysis. By reaction of these proteins on a nitrocellulose membrane with cloned 32P-HBV DNA, it was revealed that the HBeAg polypeptide, which lacks the C-terminal 34 amino acids of P21.5, as well as the HBcAg polypeptide, bound to the DNA. The secondary structures of nucleocapsid proteins of HBV, woodchuck hepatitis virus, and ground squirrel hepatitis virus were predicted by the Garnier algorithm. Amino acid sequences which, in addition to those of the C-terminal regions, may contribute to binding were proposed to be the 21-amino-acid residues located at amino acids 100 to 120 of the nucleocapsid proteins of these hepadnaviruses.     

Behavior of a short preS1 epitope on the surface of hepatitis B core particles

The major immunodominant region of hepatitis B core particles is widely recognized as the most prospective target for the insertion of foreign epitopes, ensuring their maximal antigenicity and immunogenicity. This region was mapped around amino acid residues 79-81, which were shown by electron cryo-microscopy to be located on the tips of the spikes protruding from the surface of hepatitis B core shells. Here we tried to expose a model sequence, the short immunodominant hepatitis B preS1 epitope 31-DPAFR-35, onto the tip of the spike, with simultaneous deletion of varying stretches from the major immunodominant region of the HBc molecule. Accessibility to the monoclonal anti-preS1 antibody MA18/7 and specific immunogenicity of the preS1 epitope depended on the location and length of the deletion. While chimeras with deletions within the stretch 79-88 presented the preS1 epitope on their surface and demonstrated remarkable preS1 immunogenicity, the corresponding chimeras without any deletion or with a more prolonged deletion (79-93) were unable to provide such presentation and possessed a lower specific preS1 immunogenicity. Deletion of the stretch 79-81 was sufficient to avoid the intrinsic HBc immunogenicity of the core particles, although chimeras with deleted major immunodominant region retained their property to be recognized by human polyclonal or hyperimmune anti-HBc antibodies.     

Definition of a minimal optimal cytotoxic T-cell epitope within the hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid protein.

Residues 11 to 27 of the hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid antigen contain a cytotoxic T-cell epitope that is recognized by cytotoxic T cells from virtually all HLA-A2-positive patients with acute hepatitis B virus infection. Using panels of truncated and overlapping peptides, we now show that the optimal amino acid sequence recognized by cytotoxic T cells is a 10-mer (residues 18 to 27) containing the predicted peptide-binding motif for HLA-A2 and that this peptide can stimulate cytotoxic T cells able to recognize endogenously synthesized hepatitis B core antigen. Since patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection fail to mount an efficient cytotoxic T-cell response to it, this epitope might serve as the starting point for the design of synthetic peptide-based immunotherapeutic strategies to terminate persistent viral infection.     

Characterization of Unusual Escape Variants of Hepatitis B Virus Isolated from a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen-Negative Subject

Hepatitis B virus DNA was extracted from serial serum samples of a hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patient with antibodies to the core protein as the only marker of an infection with hepatitis B virus. This patient showed no symptoms of hepatic injury. Sequencing of the amplified viral DNA demonstrated multiple amino acid changes clustering in surface-exposed regions of the surface protein. Synthesis and association of the middle (M) and small (S) surface proteins could be shown in vitro. The variant surface antigens were recognized neither by monoclonal antibodies to the surface antigen nor by the vaccinee’s sera. Consequences for hepatitis B surface antigen testing and vaccine development are discussed.     

Comparative analysis of the primary structure of the reaction center-bound cytochrome subunit in purple bacteria

The amino acid sequences of the reaction center-bound cytochrome subunit of six species of purple bacteria were compared. Amino acid residues thought to be important in controlling the redox midpoint potentials of four hemes in Blastochloris (Rhodopseudomonas) viridis were found to be well conserved. As opposed to all other species studied, the amino acid sequence of the cytochrome subunit of B. viridis had several insertions of more than 10 residues at specific regions close to the LM core, suggesting that interaction of the cytochrome subunit with the LM core in most species is different from that in B. viridis. Distribution of charged amino acid residues on the surface of the cytochrome subunit was compared among six species and discussed from the viewpoint of interaction with soluble electron donors.     

Molecular cloning of HCV and clinical application

Abstract: Fifty-five clones encoding epitopes of HCV were isolated from Japanese patients. Their amino acid homology (AAH) to the sequence of prototype (HCV-1) ranged from 47% to 94%. These sequences cover 60% of the HCV genome lacking M/E and NS2 regions suggesting a very low or lacking immunogenecity for these regions. Two test kits for detection of anti-HCV antibody were developed using a combination of a synthetic peptide (AR142) containing the epitope of N14 (QRKTKRSTNRR) having a homology to the core of HCV of | fr | sol 8/11AA and a non-fusion recombinant protein Y19 starting from amino acid number (AAN) 1380 to 1507 in the NS3 region showing a AAH to the HCV-1 of 90%, and a combination of a mixture of three synthetic peptides of S29 AAN of 1–30, 38–65 and 47–74 of the core and a non-fused recombinant protein S4 AAN of 1287–1506 having a 93% AAH of the NS3 region. They showed almost the same order of sensitivity and specificity of the second-generation kits when tested with serum from blood donors and patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis. It should also be stressed that in all of the complete responders of a recombinant α-interferon therapy, the antibody levels against AR142 gradually decreased during and after the treatment. In 1992, studies performed for 125 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in our clinic shows that of these 16 patients might developed from either chronic non-B, non-C liver diseases or chronic liver diseases caused by mutant(s) of HCV as their serum were negative for HBsAg and second-generation of anti-HCV.     

Sequence variation within a nonstructural region of the hepatitis G virus genome.

Nine sets of nested PCR primers from a 2.6-kb region of the hepatitis G virus (HGV) genome at nucleotide positions 5829 to 8421 were designed and used to analyze serum specimens obtained from patients with community-acquired non-A, non-B hepatitis who were HGV RNA positive. One set of primers was found to be most efficient in detecting HGV and was subsequently used to test 162 HCV-positive and 11 HCV-negative plasma units obtained from individual paid donors. HGV RNA was detected in 30 (17.3%) plasma units, 2 of which were found among the 11 HCV-negative specimens. A complete set of nine PCR fragments was obtained from two patients with community-acquired acute non-A, non-B hepatitis and from four paid donors. All PCR fragments were sequenced and were shown to have a nucleotide similarity of 85.9 to 92.3% and a derived amino acid similarity of 96.0 to 99.0%. The majority of nucleotide changes occurred in the third position of codons. The HGV nucleotide and protein sequences obtained in this study were compared with HCV sequences. Based on this analysis the 2.6-kb fragment was predicted to encode the C-terminal part of the putative NS4b, the entire NS5a, and almost the complete NS5b proteins. Putative protease cleavage sites separating these proteins were also predicted. In serial specimens obtained from the two HGV-infected patients, no significant variations were found in the HGV nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences over time. The HGV sequences obtained from one patient showed no changes over 6 months, whereas more than 99.0% homology was observed for sequences from the second patient over 2.5 years. Heterogeneity analysis performed on 10 sequences obtained in this study and corresponding regions from 6 known full-size sequences of the HGV genomes demonstrated notable discrete heterogeneity consistent with the existence of HGV genetic groups or types.     

Specific degenerate codons enhanced selective expression of human parathyroid hormone in Escherichia coli

Specific degenerate codons in the amino-terminal region of a synthetic human parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene exerted dramatic effects on both products and yield of expression of this 84-amino acid polypeptide in Escherichia coli. With adenine-rich degenerate codons constituting the PTH-(1-5) region, intact PTH has been expressed as the only PTH product at 6.5 mg/liter. In contrast, with guanine-rich degenerate codons, the predominent product was analogue PTH-(8-84). Use of cytosine- or thymine-rich degenerate codons generated only a small amount of immunoreactive product (0.2 mg/l). With the amino terminal region reconstituted with adenine-rich degenerate codons, the mid and carboxyl regions of the synthetic gene were also reconstructed to imitate the E. coli-favored codon degeneracy. Expression yielded the intact PTH at 20 mg/liter. Gel electrophoresis and Western blots, with antibodies specific to the amino or carboxyl terminus of PTH, indicated only a single PTH-related polypeptide, with the same mobility as a synthetic intact PTH sample. Amino acid sequencing, composition analysis, mass spectrometry, and the adenylate cyclase bioassays confirmed the purified product as the processed intact PTH.     

The variability of the hepatitis B virus genome: statistical analysis and biological implications

A statistical analysis of the nucleotide sequence variability in 14 published hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes was carried out using parametric and nonparametric methods. A parametric statistical model revealed that the different regions of the genome differed significantly in their variability. The conclusion was supported by a nonparametric kernel-density model of the HBV genome. Genes S, C, and P, region X, the precore region, and the pre-S2/pre-S1 regions were ranked in order of increasing variability. In many instances, conserved regions of the genome identified with sequences of known function in HBV biology. However, other characterized regions (such as pre-S) showed much variability despite the involvement of their encoded peptides in specific functions. Point mutations that may result in the formation of stop codons and amino acid changes may affect the clinical picture of HBV infection and may be reflected in atypical serological patterns.