FIG. 6.

Assays of iNOS promoter activity in HCV-infected cells and in cells transfected with the core or NS3 protein. (Top two panels) Mock-infected or HCV-infected Raji cells were transfected with the indicated luciferase reporter constructs containing different fractions of the iNOS promoter at 8 days postinfection of HCV. Luciferase activity was determined from the cell lysates at 2 days posttransfection. (Bottom three panels) Uninfected Raji cells were transfected with the vector or the core- or NS3-expressing plasmid and one of the luciferase reporter controls as described on the left. Luciferase activity was assayed at 2 days posttransfection. Data are the mean values of three experiments with assays done in triplicate, expressed as the luciferase activity (relative light units [RLU]) normalized for total protein content. Positions of NF-κB and AP-1 binding sites in the promoter are depicted.