Implications of seven NTCP mutations for receptor stability and Hepatitis B Virus infectivity: A computational...

Hepatitis B is a widespread viral infection and a major global public health concern. The human sodium taurocholate co-transporter polypeptide (NTCP) serves as a key receptor for the hepatitis B virus (HBV), enabling its entry into hepatocytes. Understanding how specific NTCP mutations influence its stability and interaction with HBV is critical for elucidating mechanisms of viral infectivity and resistance. This study evaluates the impact of seven non-synonymous NTCP mutations on receptor stability and HBV binding using a comprehensive bioinformatics approach. Mutant NTCP/HBsAg complexes were generated via HADDOCK, and binding affinities were predicted using PRODIGY. Molecular dynamics simulations with GROMACS further assessed the stability and behavior of NTCP/PreS1 complexes. Our findings reveal that V160M and S267F significantly reduce complex stability and binding affinity, suggesting a potential role in natural resistance to HBV infection. Mutations I88T and R84W moderately affect NTCP-HBV interactions, while V200M, I223T, and I279T show minimal impact, maintaining wild-type reference complex characteristics. This study highlights the differential effects of NTCP mutations on HBV infectivity, providing insights into host susceptibility and resistance. The integrative computational strategy offers a robust framework for understanding HBV-host interactions and may aid in identifying novel therapeutic targets.