Findings from Tianjin Medical University Broaden Understanding of Ubiquitins (P-stat3-elevated E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Dtx4 Confers the Stability of Hbv Cccdna By Ubiquitinating Apobec3b In Liver).

A study conducted at Tianjin Medical University in China has shed light on the mechanism of hepatitis B virus (HBV) cccDNA persistence, which is a major obstacle in anti-HBV therapy. The researchers found that cucurbitacin I, a compound that targets the transcriptional factor STAT3, effectively limited the stability of HBV cccDNA and replication. They also identified that the E3 ubiquitin ligase DTX4 and male-specific lethal 2 (MSL2) play a role in enhancing the stability of HBV cccDNA by facilitating the degradation of APOBEC3B through ubiquitination. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of HBV cccDNA and suggest potential therapeutic targets. [Extracted from the article]