Microbiologia Médica e Diagnóstico

Start or End? ; One of the Biggest Mysteries is Finally Solved?

Abstract

Keiji Ueda

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small DNA virus, which was found a half century ago. No useful and convenient

in vitro infection system for HBV has hampered detailed analysis of HBV life cycle, which leads to development of HBV related diseases. Here, Yan et al. reported this November, 2012 that a Sodium Taurocholate Cotansporting Polypeptide called also NTCP was a receptor for HBV and established an HBV in vitro infection system using ordinary hepatocellular carcinoma derived cell lines. This finding will shed light on total elucidation of the HBV life cycle and lead to development of new anti-HBV drugs.