Hepatitis Delta Virus RNA genome (HDV RNA)

The Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) RNA genome is a circular, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA molecule of approximately 1.7 kilobases, representing the smallest known genome to infect humans (NIH, 2023). It is characterized by a high degree of intramolecular base-pairing that results in a rod-like secondary structure and contains a unique ribozyme domain capable of self-cleavage during replication (Hughes et al., 2021). As a satellite virus, HDV is obligatorily dependent on the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its envelope proteins, which are necessary for the assembly and transmission of new virions. The RNA genome serves as the template for the synthesis of the Hepatitis Delta Antigen (HDAg), the only protein encoded by the virus, which exists in two forms that regulate the viral life cycle. Chronic infection with HDV represents the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis, frequently progressing to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma more rapidly than HBV monoinfection (Wedemeyer et al., 2023). Current and emerging therapeutic strategies target the HDV RNA genome through direct degradation using siRNA or by disrupting its packaging into viral particles using prenylation inhibitors like Lonafarnib (Mentha et al., 2019). Monitoring HDV RNA levels in the blood is the primary method for assessing treatment efficacy and disease progression in clinical practice.

Other names

HDV genomeHepatitis D virus RNACircular single-stranded RNA genome of HDV

Inhibition of viral entry via NTCP blockade, inhibition of farnesyltransferase to prevent RNA packaging, and direct degradation of viral RNA through RNA interference or antisense mechanisms (Mentha et al., 2019; Wedemeyer et al., 2023).