Canocapavir Is a Novel Capsid Assembly Modulator Inducing a Conformational Change of the Linker Region of HBV Core Protein.

ABSTRACT: Canocapavir is a novel antiviral agent with characteristics of core protein allosteric modulators (CpAMs) that is currently in a phase II clinical trial for treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Herein, we show that Canocapavir prevented the encapsidation of HBV pregenomic RNA and increased the accumulation of cytoplasmic empty capsids, presumably by targeting the hydrophobic pocket at the dimer-dimer interface of HBV core protein (HBc). Canocapavir treatment markedly reduced the egress of naked capsids, which could be reversed by Alix overexpression through a mechanism other than direct association of Alix with HBc. Moreover, Canocapavir interfered with the interaction between HBc and HBV large surface protein, resulting in diminished production of empty virions. Of particular n

SUBMITTER: Zheng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10223407 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature