HBV infection downregulated Mre11 expression and induced genome instability

Abstract:

[Objective] Prolonged infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been recognized as a major factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we studied the host protein Mre11 fluctuations after HBV infection which might be eventually contributed to cell transformation. [Methods] Western Blot was monitored to detect the expression of Mre11, and RNA interference was used to downregulate protein expression. Then, Ligation mediated PCR was used to detect the level of DNA double strand breaks. [Results] Mre11 protein was downregulated when HBV infection occured, and the downregulated expression was also seen in HCC tissue. By RNA interference, we found that Mre11 knockdown caused DNA instability. [Conclusion] Mre11 expression downregulation contributed at least partially to cell transformation caused by HBV infection.