Hepatitis B Life Cycle

The HBV life cycle involves a sequence of events allowing for viral entry into hepatocytes and import of HBV DNA into the hepatocyte nucleus, followed by viral replication, assembly, and excretion of mature virions into the extracellular space (96). Molecular targets of antiviral therapy based on the HBV life cycle are noted, including classes of investigational antiviral agents and corresponding sites of activity. Abbreviations: cccDNA, covalently closed circular double-stranded DNA; HAP, heteroaryldihydropyrimidines; HBeAg, hepatitis B e antigen; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; pgRNA, pre-genomic RNA; siRNA, short interfering RNA.