Evidence for long-term association of virion-delivered HBV core protein with cccDNA independently of viral protein production.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

HBV persists in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes as a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) episome that constitutes the template for viral RNA and protein synthesis. Both HBx and HBc (core) viral proteins associate with cccDNA but, while HBx is required for viral transcription, the role of HBc is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine if HBc derived from incoming nucleocapsid can associate with cccDNA before the onset of viral transcription and protein production.

Methods

Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed in native conditions. In addition, differentiated HepaRG (dHepaRG) cells infected with HBx-deficient HBV were used to investigate if HBc delivered by incoming virions can associate with cccDNA.

Results

Our resu

SUBMITTER: Lucifora J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8363821 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature