Phosphorylation and rapid turnover of hepatitis B virus X-protein expressed in HepG2 cells from a recombinant vaccinia virus.

The human hepatitis B viral (HBV) genome contains a conserved open reading frame known as the X-gene which is capable of encoding a polypeptide of 16.565 kDa. The corresponding protein has so far not been identified directly in HBV-infected cells, but in transient transfection assays the X-gene encodes a product that functions as a transcriptional transactivator. To characterize the subcellular distribution, stability and post-translational modifications of X-protein in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, we have established a vaccinia virus expression system. As the major X-gene product, a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 16 kDa, and reacting with an X-protein-specific antiserum, was expressed from recombinant vaccinia virus. In indirect immunofluorescence assay, X-protein appeared to be distributed throughout the cells, with a tendency to localize at the nuclear periphery and to accumulate in granules as its levels increased. By subcellular fractionation, we found about one-third of X-protein associated with the fraction defined as the nuclear framework. In pulse-chase experiments, X-protein decayed with a bimodal half-life of 15 min and 3 h. X-protein having a half-life of about 15 min was found associated with the Triton X-100 detergent-soluble fraction of HepG2 cells, while that associated with the insoluble fraction turned over more slowly. By metabolic labeling with [32P] orthophosphate, we show that X-protein is capable of being phosphorylated. Modification by phosphorylation could play an important role in the regulation of X-protein function.