Anti-HBV hairpin ribozyme-mediated cleavage of target RNA in vitro

Abstract

Aim: To study the preparation and cleavage activity of HpRz directed against the transcript of HBV core gene in vitro. Methods: HpRz gene designed by computer targeting the transcript of HBV core gene was cloned into the vector p1.5 between 5′-cis-Rz and 3′-cis-Rz. 32p-labeled HpRz transcript proved whether the vector fit for the preparation of hairpin ribozyme in vitro. 32p-labeled pKC transcript containing HBV core region as target-RNA was transcribed using T7 RNA polymerase and purified by denaturing PAGE. Cold HpRz transcript was incubated with 32p-labeled target-RNAs under different conditions and radioautographed after denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results: HpRz has the specific ability of cleavage of target-RNA at 37°C and 12 mM MgCL2. Km = 26.31 nmol/L, Kcat = 0.18/min. These results revealed that the design of HpRz was correct. Conclusion: HpRz prepared in this study possesses specific catalytic activity from the identification of cleavage activity. These results indicate that hairpin ribozyme may intracellularly inhibit the replication of HBV, therefore it may become a novel potent weapon for the treatment of hepatitis B.