G-quadruplexes control hepatitis B virus replication by promoting cccDNA transcription and phase separation in hepatocytes.

ABSTRACT: Phase separation regulates fundamental processes in gene expression and is mediated by the local concentration of proteins and nucleic acids, as well as nucleic acid secondary structures such as G-quadruplexes (G4s). These structures play fundamental roles in both host gene expression and in viral replication due to their peculiar localisation in regulatory sequences. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is an episomal minichromosome whose persistence is at the basis of chronic infection. Identifying the mechanisms controlling its transcriptional activity is indispensable to develop new therapeutic strategies against chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to determine whether G4s are formed in cccDNA and regulate viral replication. Combining biochemistry

SUBMITTER: Giraud G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10954475 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature