Hepatitis B virus RNA transcripts (S and X gene regions) (HBV RNA (S/X))

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA transcripts derived from the S and X gene regions are essential intermediates in the viral life cycle (Seeger & Mason, 2000). The S gene region encodes the surface antigens (HBsAg) necessary for virion assembly and immune evasion, while the X gene region encodes the HBx protein, which is vital for viral transcription and has been linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (Slagle & Bouchard, 2016). Due to the overlapping nature of the HBV genome, transcripts covering these regions include the pre-genomic RNA (pgRNA) and various subgenomic mRNAs. Therapeutic targeting of these RNA sequences using RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) aims to degrade the transcripts, thereby reducing the production of all viral proteins and the viral replication template (Gane et al., 2020). This approach, exemplified by drugs like JNJ-3989 and Bepirovirsen, is a primary strategy in developing a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B, as it can significantly lower HBsAg levels and potentially restore the host's exhausted immune response (Yuen et al., 2021).

Other names

HBV S/X transcriptsHepatitis B virus messenger RNAHBV pgRNA and subgenomic RNAHBV S and X open reading frames RNAHBV surface and X gene transcripts

RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) mediated degradation of viral RNA transcripts to inhibit viral protein production and replication (Gane et al., 2020; Yuen et al., 2021).