The nuclear matrix protein HNRNPU restricts hepatitis B virus transcription by promoting OAS3‐based activation of host innate immunity

Abstract

Heterogeneous nuclear protein U (HNRNPU) plays a pivotal role in innate immunity by facilitating chromatin opening to activate immune genes during host defense against viral infection. However, the mechanism by which HNRNPU is involved in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcription regulation through mediating antiviral immunity remains unknown. Our study revealed a significant decrease in HNRNPU levels during HBV transcription, which depends on HBx‐DDB1‐mediated degradation. Overexpression of HNRNPU suppressed HBV transcription, while its knockdown effectively promoted viral transcription, indicating HNRNPU as a novel host restriction factor for HBV transcription. Mechanistically, HNRNPU inhibits HBV transcription by activating innate immunity through primarily the positive regulation of the interferon‐stimulating factor 2′‐5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase 3, which mediates an ribonuclease L‐dependent mechanism to enhance innate immune responses. This study offers new insights into the host immune regulation of HBV transcription and proposes potential targets for therapeutic intervention against HBV infection.