[Expression and identification of HCV core protein in human hepatocytes].

AIM: To construct the recombinant plasmid of HCV core protein, and to express and identify it in normal human hepatocyte HL-7702. METHODS: HCV core gene was cloned by using PCR from plasmid pBRTM/HCV1-3011 which included the full length of HCV gene. The core segment with expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-) was recombined to construct eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-)/core, which was then transfected into human hepatocytes by using poly-cation. The expression of core protein was detected by immunochemical staining and Western blot. RESULTS: The length and sequence of the cloned core segment were correct. The transfected HL-7702 cells expressed the core protein. CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-)/core including HCV core gene is successfully constructed. The effective expression of HCV core protein in human hepatocytes is useful for further development of HCV core antigen.