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Hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid envelopment does not occur without genomic DNA synthesis
T Gerelsaikhan1, J E Tavis, V Bruss
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Journal of Virology
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires genome maturation within capsids for envelopment and secretion. Minus-strand DNA synthesis generates an external signal, enabling HBV nucleocapsid secretion.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) assembly involves packaging RNA pregenome and polymerase into nucleocapsids.
- Genome replication within capsids precedes envelopment and secretion of mature virions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of viral genome maturation in HBV envelopment and secretion.
- To identify signals on nucleocapsids essential for virion secretion.
Main Methods:
- Transfection of human hepatoma cells with wild-type and mutant HBV genomes.
- Analysis of intracellular nucleocapsids and secreted virions for replicative intermediates.
- Characterization of HBV polymerase mutants affecting DNA synthesis and RNase H activity.
Main Results:
- Immature nucleocapsids with pregenomic RNA are not enveloped or secreted.
- HBV nucleocapsids lacking DNA synthesis are incompetent for secretion.
- Minus-strand DNA synthesis generates an external signal required for nucleocapsid envelopment.
Conclusions:
- HBV genome maturation, specifically minus-strand DNA synthesis, is a prerequisite for virion envelopment and secretion.
- A signal on the nucleocapsid exterior, linked to minus-strand DNA synthesis, mediates envelopment.
- Understanding these steps is crucial for targeting HBV replication and spread.