Hepatitis B virus PreS2 domain (PreS2)

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) PreS2 domain is a 55-amino acid segment found in the Middle (M) and Large (L) surface proteins (UniProt P03142). It is essential for the assembly and secretion of viral particles and contains a binding site for polymerized human serum albumin, which may assist in viral attachment (PubMed: 2553345). Mutations in the PreS2 promoter or coding sequence are strongly linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative DNA damage (PubMed: 22439110). As a therapeutic target, the PreS2 domain is included in third-generation recombinant vaccines like PreHevbrio to enhance the immune response in non-responders to conventional vaccines (FDA, 2021). These vaccines elicit anti-PreS2 antibodies that contribute to viral neutralization and long-term protection against HBV infection (PubMed: 34914883).

Other names

Pre-S2 regionMiddle surface protein domainHBV PreS2MHBV PreS2Hepatitis B virus envelope protein PreS2

Induction of neutralizing antibodies that block viral attachment and entry into hepatocytes; enhancement of T-cell mediated immune responses (PubMed: 34914883).