Molecular virology of hepatitis B virus for clinicians.
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.
Block
Timothy M
TM
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA. tim.block@drexel.edu
Guo
Haitao
H
Guo
Ju-Tao
JT
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
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014764:Viral Proteins