Comparative Expression of the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Gene in Biochemically Transformed Human, Simian and Murine Cells

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The pattern of expression of the human hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) gene, transfected along with a dominant selectable marker into mammalian cells, is shown to be complex. In human hepatoma (HepG2) cells, late transient expression occurs and permanent expression takes place at high frequencies in the selected clones. In HeLa and human xeroderma pigmentosum (GM4312A)-derived cells, the late transient expression is barely seen or absent and permanent expression is only seen in a few selected clones. In monkey kidney Vero cells, late transient expression was described and it is shown that only 5% of the selected clones are capable of expressing HBsAg in a permanent manner. In most of the Vero clones, the absebce of HBsAg expression is mainly due to HBsAg gene rearrangements. Transfected Vero clones (> 500) have been selected and amplified and have 1 clone (GAR 1412) which is a permanent high-level HBsAg expressor was characterized in detail.