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Hepatitis

Epigenetic control of HBV by HBx protein—releasing the break?

HBV persists by depositing covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) into the nucleus of infected host cells. HBV X protein (HBx) is a crucial determinant for regulating HBV activity, but the molecular details have not been fully understood. A new role for HBx in regulating cccDNA transcription has now been identified.

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Figure 1: HBx might direct inhibitory factors to degradation.

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Correspondence to Ulrike Protzer.

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Protzer, U. Epigenetic control of HBV by HBx protein—releasing the break?. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 12, 558–559 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2015.152

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