[Expression of 3'-truncated preS/S gene in transgenic mice]

The 3'-truncated preS/S region from HBV genome, encoding a transcriptional transactivator, was cloned and a recombination expression vector for 3'-truncated HBV preS/S sequences under the control of the CMV promoter was constructed by recombination DNA techniques. Then, the expression vector DNA was microinjected into pronuclei of fertilized mouse oocytes. Founders of transgenic mice harbouring the recombination gene which can be expressed were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at genomic DNA level and confirmed by ELISA andlysis at protein level. Two of 15 mice in one series of microinjections showed the expression of 3'-truncated preS/S gene from HBV genome. The expression vector of 3'-truncated preS/S gene might be helpful for further studies of relationship between the expression production of 3'-truncated preS/S sequence and HBV-associated oncogenesis in vitro. The transgenic mice with expressing 3'-truncated preS/S gene will provide new insight into its roles in the development of human hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) in vivo.