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Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
Published on: November 7, 2018
Involvement of mitochondrial permeability transition in hepatitis B virus replication
Chang Tan1, Hua Guo, Maofa Zheng
1Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) HBx protein induces mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), a process crucial for viral replication. Inhibiting MPT via targeting Cyclophilin D suppressed HBV DNA replication, suggesting MPT as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Pathogenesis
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Virology
Background:
- The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) HBx protein plays a key role in viral replication by activating calcium-dependent kinase pathways.
- Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is a critical process implicated in cellular dysfunction and disease.
- Understanding the interplay between HBx and MPT is essential for developing novel antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of HBx protein in inducing mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT).
- To determine the impact of HBx-induced MPT on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA replication.
- To explore the potential of targeting MPT as a therapeutic strategy against HBV.
Main Methods:
- Assessing mitochondrial calcein-AM/CoCl(2) signals in HepG2 and Huh7 cells expressing HBx.
- Utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) to inhibit Cyclophilin D expression.
- Quantifying HBV DNA replication levels following HBx expression and Cyclophilin D inhibition.
Main Results:
- HBx expression significantly decreased mitochondrial calcein-AM/CoCl(2) signals in both HepG2 and Huh7 cells, indicating HBx-induced MPT.
- RNA interference of Cyclophilin D effectively reduced HBx-induced MPT.
- Inhibition of Cyclophilin D led to a substantial suppression of HBV DNA replication by 41% in HepG2 cells.
Conclusions:
- HBx protein induces mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), contributing to calcium efflux.
- HBx-induced MPT is closely linked to and facilitates HBV DNA replication.
- Targeting Cyclophilin D and MPT presents a promising therapeutic avenue for controlling HBV infection.
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