Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Identifying Inhibitors of the HBx-DDB1 Interaction Using a Split Luciferase Assay System
05:55

Identifying Inhibitors of the HBx-DDB1 Interaction Using a Split Luciferase Assay System

Published on: December 21, 2019

6.7K

Epigenetic regulation and its therapeutic potential in hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA

Jihua Ren1, Shengtao Cheng1, Fang Ren2

  • 1The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases Designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400000, China.

Genes & Diseases
|November 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection persists due to viral DNA (cccDNA). Understanding cccDNA transcription regulation is key to developing a cure for chronic hepatitis B, offering hope for complete HBV resolution.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes significant liver disease, including cancer.
  • Current therapies suppress HBV replication but rarely achieve complete viral clearance.
  • Persistent covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the primary barrier to HBV cure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biology of HBV cccDNA.
  • To summarize mechanisms regulating cccDNA transcription.
  • To discuss novel therapeutic strategies targeting cccDNA for HBV eradication.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of HBV cccDNA biology and regulation.
  • Analysis of studies on chromatin modifiers, viral proteins, and noncoding RNAs affecting cccDNA.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on anti-HBV approaches aimed at cccDNA elimination.

Main Results:

  • HBV cccDNA forms stable nuclear minichromosomes.
  • Chromatin-modifying enzymes, viral proteins, and noncoding RNAs critically regulate cccDNA transcription.
  • Understanding these regulatory mechanisms is crucial for developing curative HBV therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting cccDNA transcription represents a promising strategy for a functional cure of chronic hepatitis B.
  • Further research into cccDNA regulatory networks will accelerate the development of novel anti-HBV treatments.
  • Eliminating cccDNA is essential for achieving complete resolution of HBV infection.

Keywords:
Epigenetic regulationHBVHBxTranscriptioncccDNA

More Related Videos

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection11:14

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection

Published on: November 7, 2018

18.3K
A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target11:34

A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target

Published on: May 10, 2022

2.1K

Related Concept Videos

Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
3
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
30.9K
Co-activators and Co-repressors02:04

Co-activators and Co-repressors

Gene transcription is regulated by the synergistic action of several proteins that form a complex at a gene regulatory site. This is observed in eukaryotes, where the regulation of gene expression is a complex process. Regulatory proteins in eukaryotes can broadly be classified into two types – regulators that bind directly to specific DNA sequences and co-regulators that associate with regulatory proteins but cannot directly bind to the DNA. These co-regulators are further divided into...
7.3K
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators02:04

Covalently Linked Protein Regulators

Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
6.8K
Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
13.5K
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors01:52

Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors

Certain biochemical processes, such as embryonic development and cell growth regulation, depend on the repression of specific genes. DNA binding proteins known as eukaryotic transcription inhibitors regulate the repression of gene expression in eukaryotes. The presence of these inhibitors at the required location and time in the cell is triggered by the presence of hormones and additional signals from other cells.
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a...
9.8K