title: Molecular virology of hepatitis B virus for clinicians.
abstract: This article reviews the molecular biology of the hepatitis B virus in an effort to explain its natural history from a molecular perspective. The life cycle of the virus, with special attention to virus replication, polypeptide production, and morphogenesis, is described. The way in which these steps may influence the natural history of viral pathogenesis, as well as the effectiveness of interventions, receives special consideration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA. tim.block@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Ju-Tao
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014764:Viral Proteins