Effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core and NS5A proteins in apoptosis of HeLa cells

RIVERO CW, MINASSIAN ML, MATHET VL, CUESTAS ML, RUIZ V, TRINKS J, OUIBIÑA JR

Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina

Congreso; XLII Reunión Anual de SAIB; 2006

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

INTRODUCTION: Both Core and NS5A HCV proteins play important roles in viral replication and pathogenesis. These proteins may also affect many cellular functions, including gene expression, signal transduction and apoptosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of transiently expressed Core and NS5A proteins in Staurosporine-induced apoptosis of HeLa cells. METHODS: HeLa cells were transiently transfected. Apoptosis was determined in Staurosporine (STR) treated and untreated cells by Anexina V and Hoechst staining. Bax, bcl-2 and telomerase mRNA levels were evaluated by multiplex RT-PCR. RESULTS: Transient expression of either Core and NS5A HCV proteins was associated with a slight inducer effect on apoptosis of HeLa cells after 42 hs, but not after 30 hs. There was an increase in apoptosis of STR-treated cells only when the viral proteins were expressed for 30 hs and cell death quantitative analyses allowed discrimination between early and late apoptosis. No variations were detected in the mRNA levels of bax, bcl-2 and telomerase of transfected HeLa cells. Decrease of these mRNA levels induced by STR was not reverted by either viral proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Both Core and NS5A proteins appear to accelerate STR-induced apoptosis in transiently transfected HeLa cells, without affecting bax, bcl-2 and telomerase mRNA levels.