Hepatitis B virus molecular targets (HBV targets)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) molecular targets represent a diverse group of viral proteins and host cellular factors essential for the HBV life cycle and the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B. Key viral targets include the HBV DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase), which is the primary target for current nucleos(t)ide analog therapies, the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) involved in viral entry and immune evasion, and the HBV core protein (HBcAg) responsible for capsid assembly. Additionally, host-side targets such as the Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide (NTCP) serve as the functional receptor for viral entry into hepatocytes. Chronic HBV infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, driven by persistent viral replication and the integration of viral DNA into the host genome. Modern drug development focuses on 'functional cure' strategies, targeting multiple stages of the viral cycle including capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), RNA interference (RNAi) to silence viral transcripts, and entry inhibitors to prevent de novo infection of hepatocytes.

Other names

HBV therapeutic targetsHepatitis B virus proteinsHBV host factors

Inhibition of viral reverse transcriptase/DNA polymerase; blockade of viral entry via NTCP; inhibition of capsid assembly; degradation of viral RNA; modulation of the host immune response.