Characterization of the intracellular deproteinized relaxed circular DNA of hepatitis B virus: an intermediate of covalently closed circular DNA formation.

ABSTRACT: Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is formed by conversion of capsid-associated relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA) via unknown mechanisms and exists in the nucleus of the infected hepatocyte as a minichromosome that serves as the transcription template for viral RNAs. To study the molecular pathway of cccDNA formation and its regulation by viral and cellular factors, we have established a cell line that supports the replication of an envelope protein-deficient HBV genome in a tetracycline-inducible manner. Following induction of HBV replication, the cells accumulate higher levels of cccDNA as well as larger amounts of deproteinized rcDNA (DP-rcDNA) than cells that replicate wild-type HBV genomes. These results indicate that HBV envelope proteins negatively regulat

SUBMITTER: Guo H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2169032 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature