The enhancer sequence of human hepatitis B virus can enhance the activity of its surface gene promoter

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Abstract
The transcrlptlonal enhancer sequence has recently been demonstrated in the hepatitis B viral genome. This enhancer sequence has also been shown to Increase the activity of HBcAg gene promoter. Using the chloramphenlcol acetyltransferase gene expression system, we demonstrated that the Intrinsic promoter activity of HBsAg gene promoter was stronger than that of HBcAg gene promoter in both human hepatoma cell lines, Hep3B and HuH-7. Furthermore, we showed that the HBV enhancer sequence not only stimulated the EBcAg gene promoter activity, but also stimulated the RBsAg gene promoter activity in both Hep3B and HuH-7 cells. The enhancer sequence Increased the HBsAg gene promoter activity 20-fold In both Hep3B and HuH-7 cell lines, while the increase of the HBcAg gene promoter was 2- and 8-fold in Hep3B and HuH-7 cells, respectively.