Core-APOBEC3C chimerical protein inhibits hepatitis B virus replication

J Biochem. 2011 Oct;150(4):371-4. doi: 10.1093/jb/mvr086. Epub 2011 Jul 11.

Abstract

We tested the capsid targeted viral inactivation method as an anti-HBV strategy. HepG2 cells were cotransfected with HBV expression plasmid and the plasmid encoding fusion protein of either Core-A3C or Core-humanized renilla GFP (hrGFP). Core-A3C had substantial effect on HBV DNA levels. In the HepG2 cells expressing Core-A3C, the number of G-to-A mutations increased dramatically, whereas other nucleotide substitutions were rare. In addition, Core-A3C substantially inhibited HBV production intracellularly and in culture supernatant. These results suggest that Core-A3C may be a candidate as a novel antiviral agent against human HBV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cytidine Deaminase / genetics
  • Cytidine Deaminase / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis B virus / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • APOBEC3C protein, human
  • Cytidine Deaminase