Suppression of hepatitis B virus enhancer 1 and 2 by hepatitis C virus core protein

Background/Aims: Epidemiological studies have shown that coinfection or superinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV) frequently leads to the suppression of hepatitis B virus replication. The mechanism of this phenomenon is still unclear. Shih et al. [j Virol 1993;67:5823] reported a direct suppression of HBV replication by the core protein of HCV. The target structure of HCV core protein in this system remained unclear. Methods: As HCV core protein has been shown to influence expression from transcriptional elements, we studied whether HCV core protein altered the activity of the two HBV enhancers 1 and 2. Luciferase vectors for HBV enhancers 1 or 2 were cotransfected with expression constructs for HCV core protein in murine and human hepatocyte lines. Results: Full-length HCV core protein suppressed the HBV enhancer 1 up to 11-fold, the enhancer 2 3-4-fold. Suppression of HBV enhancer 1 by HCV core from genotype 1b was stronger than by HCV core of genotypes 3a or 1a. Carboxyterminally truncated core proteins had lower or no suppression activity. Conclusions: These data suggest that HCV core protein may directly repress transcription of the HBV RNAs. This trans-repression may contribute to suppression of HBV replication in patients coinfected with both viruses. (C) 2002 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.