The hepatitis B core promoter: Control of viral life cycle events

Abstract

The HBV core promoter transcribes both the pre-core and the pre-genomic mRNAfrom which translation of the HBeAg and HBcAg occurs respectively..This study aimed to investigate the importance of the CP in viral replication. Pairedsamples, pre- and post HBeAg seroconversion, were selected from 14 chronic HBVpatients who had a significant decrease in serum viral load after HBeAgseroconversion implying a drop in viral replication. The CP acitivty from each samplewas quantitated via a luciferase reporter gene. 5a?? RACE was also carried out todistinguish between pre-core and pre-genomic mRNA transcription. Sequenceanalysis showed the presence of previously reported and novel CP mutations whichcaused a change in CP activity. However, the correlation between CP activity andviral replication was not significant. Hence, we conclude that the regulation of HBVreplication is a complex process in which the CP plays a necessary, but not sufficient,role.