Effect of HSP70 on HBV replication

AIM: To investigate the role of heat shock protein 70(HSP70)in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. METHODS: The effect of HBV replication on the expression of HSP70 was analyzed by RT-qPCR. The overexpression efficiency of HSP70 was confirmed by Western blot. The effect of HSP70 overexpression on HBV DNA replicative intermediates was analyzed by RT-qPCR and Southern blot. The effects of HSP70 overexpression on the expression level of HBV 3.5 kb mRNA and HBV core protein were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The Effect of HSP70 overexpression on HBV promoter activity was detected by dual luciferase reporter system. RESULTS: The mRNA levels of HSP70 were inhibited by HBV replication. Overexpression of HSP70 repressed the expression of HBV DNA replicative intermediates, 3.5 kb mRNA and core protein, as well as HBV core promoter activity. CONCLUSION: HBV replication inhibits the expression of HSP70. Overexpression of HSP70 represses HBV replication. These data suggest that HSP70 repressed HBV replication by inhibiting HBV core promoter activity.