Analysis of the Intracellular Zinc in HCV Replicon
Journal Title: Gastro - Open Journal - Year 2017, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
Aim: In patients with chronic liver injury, metabolic disturbance of zinc was frequently observed and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication is crucially involved with zinc metabolism. In vitro HCV replication system, HCV replicon enabled us to analyze HCV replication in vitro. Here we aimed to quantitatively analyze the zinc in a HCV-infected hepatocyte, namely HCV replicon and control. Methods: Genome-length HCV RNA-replicating cells, namely replicon cells (HCV-O cells) and control cells were treated with zinc salts and assayed their zinc content by in-air microPIXE analyzer. Metallothionein (MT) which is a major reserve of zinc was also analyzed by Cd-hem assay. Results: 1) Micro-PIXE analysis revealed that zinc concentration was increased more in HCV-O cells than control. Additional zinc by zinc chloride administration enhanced the peak of zinc in both control and HCV replicon cells. Furthermore, the degree of zinc increment by additional zinc is more in HCV-O cells than control. 2) Cd-hem assay also demonstrated the increase of zinc in HCV-O cells and zinc stimulation further increased the metallothionein content in HCV-O cells. Conclusion: In-air-micro-PIXE and Cd-hem assay revealed the increase of zinc and metallothionein in HCV-O. Metallothionein increased and additional zinc also increased more in HCV-O. Thus, HCV infection increased zinc at least partially through metallothionein.
Authors and Affiliations
Hitoshi Takagi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP555742
- DOI 10.17140/GOJ-2-125
- Views 169
- Downloads 0
The Clinical or Radiographic Diagnosis of Gastroptosis: Still Relevant?
Introduction: Gastroptosis was a frequent diagnosis in former days, however in current practice it is a rare diagnosis with uncertain etiology, with only a few number of studies to support it. Gastroptosis is diagnosed o...
Biphasic Roles of a Small G-Protein, RAC1 in Pancreatic Β-Cell
Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) involves cross talk between small Gproteins and their regulating factors. These interactions results in translocation of insulin-laden granules to the plasma membrane for fusio...
Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease Complicated by Hidden Retroperitoneal Abscess: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Crohn’s Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the intestinal tract characterized by trans-mural damage of the bowel wall often complicated by strictures, entero-visceral and perianal fistulae and abscesses....
Salvage Cryotherapy for Treatment of Persistent Barrett’s Esophagus
Background: A dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus can lead to cancer if not treated by endoscopic eradication therapy. The current consensus is to eradicate the entire residual Barrett’s esophagus that is visible during endos...
Capsule Endoscopy: Indications, Findings and Complications among Patients with Suspected Small Bowel Lesions
Background/Aims: Until a few years back, evaluation of small bowel pathology was unsatisfactory because of the inability to completely visualize the small bowel mucosa with the available endoscopic and radiological techn...