Cell-based cccDNA reporter assay combined with functional genomics identifies YBX1 as HBV cccDNA host factor and antiviral candidate target.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. A key feature of HBV replication is the synthesis of the covalently close circular (ccc)DNA, not targeted by current treatments and whose elimination would be crucial for viral cure. To date, little is known about cccDNA formation. One major challenge to address this urgent question is the absence of robust models for the study of cccDNA biology.

Design

We established a cell-based HBV cccDNA reporter assay and performed a loss-of-function screen targeting 239 genes encoding the human DNA damage response machinery.

Results

Overcoming the limitations of current models, the reporter assay enables to quantity cccDNA levels using a robust ELISA as a readou

SUBMITTER: Verrier ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10423543 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature