Hepatitis B Virus mRNA Transcript (HBV mRNA)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mRNA transcripts are a set of viral RNA molecules transcribed from the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) template within infected hepatocytes. These transcripts are essential for both the production of viral proteins and replication of the HBV genome. HBV produces four major mRNA species: 3.5 kb pregenomic RNA (pgRNA)/precore RNA, 2.4 kb subgenomic RNA, 2.1 kb subgenomic RNA, and 0.7 kb subgenomic RNA. The pgRNA serves as an mRNA for core protein and polymerase, and as a template for reverse transcription. The other three subgenomic RNAs encode envelope proteins (L-HBs, M-HBs, S-HBs) and the regulatory X protein. Transcription is tightly regulated by promoters/enhancers in the HBV genome, and a post-transcriptional regulatory element (PRE) ensures stability, nuclear export, and efficient translation.

Other names

HBV transcriptsHepatitis B virus RNA