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Peptide aptamers targeting the hepatitis B virus core protein: a new class of molecules with antiviral activity

Oncogene volume 20, pages 6579–6586 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

A substantial proportion of the worldwide liver cancer incidence is associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The therapeutic management of HBV infections is still problematic and novel antiviral strategies are urgently required. Using the peptide aptamer screening system, we aimed to isolate new molecules, which can block viral replication by interfering with capsid formation. Eight peptide aptamers were isolated from a randomized expression library, which specifically bound to the HBV core protein under intracellular conditions. One of them, named C1-1, efficiently inhibited viral capsid formation and, consequently, HBV replication and virion production. Hence, C1-1 is a novel model compound for inhibiting HBV replication by blocking capsid formation and provides a new basis for the development of therapeutic molecules with specific antiviral potential against HBV infections.

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Acknowledgements

We thank H zur Hausen for continuous support. We further thank B Ehret for excellent technical assistance, C Kuhn, H Schaller, S Urban, and H Zentgraf for biological materials, and U Ackermann for photographic work. We also thank S Karpen, S Urban and E Tomai for helpful comments on the manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. Karin Butz and Claudia Denk: K Butz and C Denk contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Angewandte Tumorvirologie, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, Heidelberg, D-69120, Germany

    Karin Butz, Claudia Denk, Barbara Fitscher, Irena Crnkovic-Mertens, Angela Ullmann, Claus H Schröder & Felix Hoppe-Seyler

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  1. Karin Butz
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  2. Claudia Denk
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  5. Angela Ullmann
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Correspondence to Felix Hoppe-Seyler.

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Butz, K., Denk, C., Fitscher, B. et al. Peptide aptamers targeting the hepatitis B virus core protein: a new class of molecules with antiviral activity. Oncogene 20, 6579–6586 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.onc.1204805

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