To characterize the effects of cetyltriethylammonium
bromide (
CTAB) on the transcription of gp64 promoter from Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), the plasmid pBmgp64Luc used in transient expression assay system was constructed by using the
luciferase gene as a reporter under the control of BmNPV gp64 promoter. When the Bombyx mori cells (Bm-N) were transfected with the pBmgp64Luc, different treatments were undertaken. We found that the transient expression activity of
luciferase could not be augmented directly by
CTAB treatment alone, but could be enhanced more than 2 times by BmNPV treatment alone at a multiplicity of
infection (MOI) of 0.5. Through co-treatment with 0.1 microg ml(-1) of
CTAB and BmNPV at a MOI of 0.5, the enzymatic activity increased 5.21 times. We presumed that the stimulation of transcription of BmNPV gp64 promoter by
CTAB was mediated by viral factors from BmNPV. In addition, the time curves of
luciferase activity in cells transfected with pBmgp64Luc and transactivated by virus were observed.