The effect of nucleocapsid protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Methods 293T cells were co-transfected with reporter plasmid pCOX-2-Luc containing the luciferase gene under the control of COX-2 promoter and plasmids carrying individual genes of SARS-CoV, and luciferase activity was measured. Expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Results N protein of SARS-CoV enhanced COX-2 gene promoter activity, and upregulated COX-2 mRNA expression.COX-2 protein production in 293T cells was N protein concentration-dependent. Conclusion N protein of SARS-CoV could specifically activate COX-2 expression.