Genotype-dependent activation or repression of HBV enhancer Ⅱ by transcription factor COUP-TF1

AIM: To study the expression of HBV enhancer Ⅱ by transcription factor COUP-TF1. METHODS: In order to study the regulation of HBV variants in the vicinity of the NRRE we cloned luciferase constructs containing the HBV enhancer Ⅱ from variants and from HBV genotypes A and D and cotransfected them together with expression vectors for COUP-TF1 into HepG2 cells. RESULTS: Our fi ndings show that enhancer Ⅱ of HBV genotype A is also repressed by COUP-TF1. In contrast, two different enhancer Ⅱ constructs of HBV genotype D were activated by COUP-TF1. The activation was independent of the NRRE because a natural variant with a deletion of nt 1763-1770 was still activated by COUP- TF1. CONCLUSION: Regulation of transcription of the HBV genome seems to differ among HBV genomes derived from different genotypes. These differences in transcriptional control among HBV genotypes may be the molecular basis for differences in the clinical course among HBV genotypes.