Intracellular localization and tissue distribution of HBV preS1 protein and ASGPR

Objective: To verify the intracellular localization and tissue distribution of HBV preS1 protein and ASGPR so as to provide the basis for further study on their biological functions. Methods: Intracellular localization of HBV preS1 protein and ASGPR was analyzed by confocal microscopy, respectively. Tissue specificity of HBV preS1 protein and ASGPR was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: Microscopy revealed that HBV preS1 protein was located on the membranes and in the cytoplasms and nuclei, while ASGPR was found on the cell membranes. We observed by double-channel confocal microscopy that HBV preS1 protein and ASGPR were co-localized on membranes of HepG2 cells; the localization pattern of ASGPR was similar to that of HBV preS1 protein in the liver tissues of HBsAg-positive hepatic cirrhosis patients (P>0.05). In addition, the expressions of ASGPR and HBV preS1 protein were correlated significantly with each other (Pearson corrlection 0.776, P<0.0001). Conclusion: Besides mediating HBV entry, ASGPR may also play an important role in other life activities such as viral secretion and intracellular transport.