RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To construct the core mutant (L97 and V60) plasmids of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and assess their biological activity. METHODS: Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to induce specific core point mutations in HBV adr suhtype 1.2 copy genome plasmid p3.8 II. The plasmids were transfected into HepG2 cells via liposome, and intracellular HBV DNA was analyzed by Southern hybridization, while extracellular HBV antigens (HBsAg and HBeAg) in the culture supernatant were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Sequence analysis of the constructed mutant plasmids p3.8 L97 and p3.8 V60 demonstrated mutations at 2 189 A C and 2 086 C HBV adr subtype genome core mutant (L97 and V60) plasmids we have constructed possess biological activity.G respectively. These mutant plasmids exhibited HBV DNA replication activity and gene expression in host cells. CONCLUSION: HBV adr subtype genome core mutant (L97 and V60) plasmids we have constructed possess biological activity.