HBV Polymerase as a Target for Development of Anti-HBV Drugs

Preparation and functional evaluation of monoclonal antibodies targeting Hepatitis B Virus Polymerase

“…This enzyme is essential for the life cycle of the virus and regulates several processes including viral RNA binding, RNA packaging, protein initiation, template conversion, DNA synthesis and RNA degradation [5]. Nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) can act on the polymerase domain and inhibit its activity, resulting in decreased HBV DNA levels [6]. In addition, several recent studies have reported that HBV polymerase interacts directly with STING and RIG-I, thereby interfering with the replication of viral DNA and RNA through pattern recognition receptors in the host immune system [7][8][9].…”