title: Replication of human hepatitis delta virus: recent developments.
abstract: In a natural setting, hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is only found in patients that are also infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). In hepatocytes infected with these two viruses, HDV RNA genomes are assembled using the envelope proteins of HBV. Since 1986, we have known that HDV has a small single-stranded RNA genome with a unique circular conformation that is replicated using a host RNA polymerase. These and other features make HDV and its replication unique, at least among agents that infect animals. This mini-review focuses on advances gained over the last 2-3 years, together with an evaluation of HDV questions that are either unsolved or not yet solved satisfactorily.
authors.affiliation: Fox Chase Cancer Center, 7701 Burholme Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497, USA. JM_Taylor@FCCC.edu
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D020868:Gene Silencing; D016679:Genome, Viral; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral