Objective: To investigate four expression vectors carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) genes,which under the control of different HBV promoters,were detected and compared as to their expressions in hepatocytes and nonhepatic cell lines.Methods: Four HBV promoters (including enhancers) were amplified by PCR,subcloned into the expression vector pEGFP-1.The four recombinants controlled by HBV promoters were analyzed and identified by restriction enzymes and sequencing.After transfection into human hepatoma cell lines and non-liver cells,transfection efficiency was measured by EGFP expression through fluorescence microscopy and analyzed with fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS).Results: All target fragments were separately obtained and successfully cloned into the expression vector.The transfection results showed that in hepatoma cells,the expression of EGFP was more obvious than it was in non-hepatic cells.Among the four promoters,S gene promoter presented the strongest transfection efficiency.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that HBV promoters could lead specific expression in hepatocytes,different promoters had different outcomes,which might be a potential for the gene therapy of liver diseases.