Hepatitis delta virus genome (HDV genome) (HDV genome)

The Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) genome is a small, circular, single-stranded negative-sense RNA molecule of approximately 1.7 kilobases (NIH, 2023). It is a satellite virus that requires the presence of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) to provide surface antigens (HBsAg) for its envelope and subsequent virion assembly (PubMed, PMID: 31513964). The HDV genome encodes only one protein, the Hepatitis Delta Antigen (HDAg), and contains highly conserved ribozyme sequences that facilitate self-cleavage during replication (Wikipedia, 2024). Therapeutic strategies targeting the HDV genome include antisense oligonucleotides and siRNAs, such as ARO-HDV, which are designed to degrade viral RNA (Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, 2023). Additionally, drugs like lonafarnib target the prenylation of HDAg, preventing the interaction between the large HDAg and the HBV-derived envelope, thus disrupting viral assembly (Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, 2023). Because HDV infection often leads to the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis, targeting its genome and replication cycle is a critical area of drug development to prevent progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (StatPearls, 2023).

Other names

Hepatitis D virus RNAHDV RNAHDV ribozymeHepatitis delta virus RNA

Degradation of viral RNA via RNA interference (siRNA), inhibition of viral assembly by blocking farnesyltransferase-mediated prenylation of the large delta antigen, and inhibition of viral entry into hepatocytes by blocking the NTCP receptor (PubMed, PMID: 33434345).