HBV secretion is regulated through the activation of endocytic and autophagic compartments mediated by Rab7 stimulation.

ABSTRACT: The cellular mechanisms by which hepatitis B virus (HBV) is assembled and exported are largely undefined. Recently, it has been suggested that these steps require the multivesicular body (MVB) and the autophagic machinery. However, the mechanisms by which HBV might regulate these compartments are unclear. In this study, we have found that by activating Rab7a, HBV alters its own secretion by inducing dramatic changes in the morphology of MVB and autophagic compartments. These changes are characterized by the formation of numerous tubules that are dependent upon the increase in Rab7 activity observed in the HBV-expressing HepG2.2.15 cells compared to HepG2 cells. Interestingly, transfection-based expression of the five individual viral proteins indicated that the precore protein, which is a

SUBMITTER: Inoue J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4446738 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature