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Probable implication of mutations of the X open reading frame in the onset of fulminant hepatitis B
Author(s) -
Kaneko Miki,
Uchida Toshikazu,
Moriyama Mitsuhiko,
Arakawa Yasuyuki,
Shikata Toshio,
Gotoh Kenichiro,
Mima Satoaki
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890470304
Subject(s) - virology , open reading frame , fulminant hepatitis , fulminant , frame (networking) , mutation , hepatitis , medicine , biology , genetics , immunology , computer science , gene , peptide sequence , telecommunications
A pathogenic role of precore‐defective mutation in the onset of fulminant hepatitis B has been suggested. However, precore‐defective mutants do not always cause fulminant hepatitis B and are not always isolated from affected patients. These findings strongly suggest the presence of some additional important mutations outside the precore region in fulminant hepatitis. In the present investigation an attempt was made to sequence the X open reading frame of hepatitis B virus DNA isolated from seven patients with fulminant hepatitis B and five patients with acute hepatitis B. The latter were used as controls. Since the X open reading frame encodes the X protein and contains the core promoter/enhancer II complex, some critical mutations may enhance or disrupt the replication and expression of hepatitis B virus DNA leading to fulminant hepatitis. A C‐to‐T substitution was found at nucleotide (nt) 1655, an A‐to‐T substitution at nt 1764 and a G‐to‐A substitution at nt 1766 in 4, 5 and 5 patients, respectively, out of the seven with fulminant hepatitis. These substitutions were not recognized in the patients with acute hepatitis. These mutations might change the function of the X protein and core promoter/enhancer II complex. It is suggested, therefore, that these mutations, as well as the precore‐defective mutation, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of fulminant hepatitis. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.