Hepatitis B Virus insertion in loci of the N-myc2 chromosomal domain in a survey of HCCs from naturally infected woodchucks

摘要

WHV insertion in target loci of the N-myc2 chromosomal domain was investigated in 54 HCCs from 24 wild-caught naturally infected animals by Southern blotting. WHV insertion in N-myc2, bSn and win loci was detected in 41% HCCs. WHV was most often integrated close to the gene (18/54, 33%), less frequently in bSn (2/54, 4%) and in win (2/54, 4%). 41 HCCs could be analysed by Northern blotting too. N-myc2 transcriptional activation was shown by 29/41 (71%) HCCs. WHV insertion in known loci of the N-myc2 domain accounted for activation in only one half of them (16/29, 55%); interestingly, WHV integration in cellular DNA was yet detected in all of them. The findings suggest that one half tumours from wild chronically infected woodchucks may harbour WHV integration at further sites of the N-myc2 chromosomal domain.