Core-APOBEC3C chimerical protein inhibits hepatitis B virus replication.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a major global health concern.
• Current antiviral strategies have limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a capsid-targeted viral inactivation method using Core-A3C as a potential anti-HBV strategy.
• To investigate the impact of Core-A3C on HBV DNA levels, mutation patterns, and viral production.

Main Methods:

• HepG2 cells were co-transfected with HBV expression plasmids and plasmids encoding either Core-A3C or Core-humanized renilla GFP (hrGFP).
• HBV DNA levels, nucleotide substitution patterns, and HBV production (intracellular and supernatant) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Core-A3C demonstrated a substantial reduction in HBV DNA levels.
• Expression of Core-A3C led to a significant increase in G-to-A mutations, with minimal other nucleotide substitutions.
• Core-A3C markedly inhibited both intracellular and extracellular HBV production.

Conclusions:

• Core-A3C effectively targets HBV replication and production through a mechanism involving G-to-A hypermutation.
• Core-A3C shows potential as a novel antiviral agent for treating human HBV infection.