The project aims to investigate structural and functional factors that are important for entry and replication of the human pathogenic RNA satellite virus HDV and its helper virus HBV. The project will provide more detailed molecular and mechanistic insights into the internalization process of the virus-receptor complex that is triggered by HDV/HBV binding to the receptor NTCP. In addition, the replication cycle of HDV will be analyzed in comparison with other, recently identified animal HDV that are phylogenetically closely related to human HDV. All these processes will be analyzed under mono- and co-infection conditions with different hepatotropic viruses (HBV, HDV, HCV).
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
