Inhibition of Hepatitis B virus cccDNA replication by siRNA

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Apr 6;355(2):404-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.01.163. Epub 2007 Feb 6.

Abstract

The development of an effective therapy for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a challenge. Progress in RNA interference (RNAi) has shed slight on developing a new anti-HBV strategy. Here, we present a series of experiments showing a significant reduction in HBV transcripts and replication intermediates in HepG2.2.15cells by vector-based siRNA targeted nuclear localization signal (NLS) region. More importantly, we showed that siRNA1 markedly inhibited HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) replication. Our results indicated that HBV NLS may serve as a novel RNAi target to combat HBV infection, which can enhance anti-HBV efficacy and overcome the drawbacks of current therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA Replication / genetics*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering