Characterization of the infectivity determinants of the envelope proteins of hepatitis B-virus [Elektronische Ressource] / presented by Yi Ni

Dissertation submitted to the Combined Faculties for the Natural Sciences and for Mathematics of the Ruperto-Carola University of Heidelberg, Germany for the degree of Doctor of Natural Sciences presented by Yi Ni born in: Fujian, P.R. China Oral-examination: Characterization of the infectivity determinants of the envelope proteins of Hepatitis B Virus Referees: Prof. Dr. Stephan Urban r. Ursula Klingmüller Index I Index Summary………………………………………………………………………….…….……..1 Zusammenfassung……………………………………………………………………...…….3 1. Introduction…………………………………………………..……………..……….……..5 1.1 Hepatitis B virus biology..………………………………………………..….…….....5 1.1.1 Classification of viruses within the Hepadnavirus family…………………..………5 1.1.2 Serotypes and genotypes………………………………………………….……….5 1.1.3 Virus structure…………………………………….………………………………7 1.1.4 Genome structure and organization………………………………………...……..7 1.1.5 Primary attachment and receptor mediated binding …………………………..…..9 1.1.6 Fusion with cellular membrane…………………………………….………….…12 1.1.7 Nucleocapsid transportation……………………………………………..………12 1.1.8 cccDNA formation…………………………………………………………........13 1.1.9 Transcription………………………………………………………………….…13 1.1.10 Translation of viral proteins and co/post-translational modification…………....14 1.1.11 Genome replication……………………………….……………………….…....15 1.1.12 Assembly and virus release…………………………………………………...…15 1.