The in vitro replication phenotype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) splice variant Sp1

Authors:

• Sozzi, V.
• McCoullough, L.
• Mason, H.
• Littlejohn, M.
• Revill, P.A.

Details:

Virology, Volume 574, 2022-09-30

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Although not critical for hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, splicing of HBV pre-genomic RNA generates multiple HBV splice variants, some of which have been shown to impact replication of the genome-length HBV on which they rely for their replication. To date, all replication studies of splice variants have utilised truncated RNA or over-expression constructs, and studies utilising constructs that produce authentic splice derived HBV RNA are lacking. Here we utilise a greater than genome length model to interrogate the complete replication phenotype of HBV splice variant Sp1, and investigate mechanisms by which it negatively impacts genome-length HBV replication.