Means of modification and degradation of hepatitis B virus cccDNA (14)

• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 272983813

HBV persists by establishing a covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA form in the nucleus of infected hepatocytes, which serves as transcription template for all viral RNAs. Current antiviral treatment does not target established HBV cccDNA. Cytokines induce modification and degradation of HBV cccDNA and influence its activity. This may then finally allow curing hepatitis B. The overarching goal of this project is to understand cccDNA establishment, integrity and control in molecular detail to allow therapeutic targeting of cccDNA, which is the Holy Grail in “HBV Cure” research.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 179: Determinants and dynamics of elimination versus persistence of hepatitis virus infection
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professorin Dr. Ulrike Protzer