Hepatitis E Virus ORF2 Protein Activates Pro-Apoptotic Gene CHOP
Author Information
Author(s): John Lijo Thomas, Saijo Ottmar, Pützer Brigitte M., Schaefer Stephan
Primary Institution: Department of Vectorology and Experimental Gene Therapy, Biomedical Research Center, University of Rostock Medical School, Rostock, Germany
Hypothesis
Does the HEV ORF2 protein activate the pro-apoptotic gene CHOP and affect apoptosis signaling pathways?
Conclusion
HEV ORF2 activates the pro-apoptotic gene CHOP but does not induce apoptosis in expressing cells.
Supporting Evidence
- HEV ORF2 activates the CHOP promoter through AARE and ERSE elements.
- ORF2 expression leads to increased phosphorylation of eIF2α.
- Activation of CHOP by ORF2 does not result in Bax translocation to mitochondria.
Takeaway
The hepatitis E virus protein ORF2 can turn on a gene that usually tells cells to die, but in this case, it doesn't actually make the cells die.
Methodology
The study involved transient transfection of cells with ORF2 and analysis of CHOP promoter activity and protein interactions.
Limitations
The study does not explore the full range of cellular responses to ORF2 expression beyond CHOP activation.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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