Elucidation of hepatitis B virus invasion control mechanism by host protein kinase

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver and can occur due to a variety of different infectious and non-infectious causes. Viral hepatitis is a well-known example of the disease, and can be caused by a number of viruses. Researchers across the globe are working to shed better light on these viruses. An important discovery in this field was the identification of the receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and, in 2012, Dr Wenhui Li led a team that reported on important findings regarding sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) as a functional receptor of HBV and HDV. Dr Masashi Iwamoto, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan, is working to further expand knowledge on viral hepatitis infection. He and his team believe that the viral internalization and trafficking processes from plasma membrane could be a potential target for therapeutic solutions. In recent work, Iwamoto demonstrated that the dynamics of viral localization within cells, accompanied by EGFR, is crucial in understanding successful infection. Another element of the team's work is to elucidate the HBV invasion control mechanisms by host protein kinase. In order to do this, the researchers are combining molecular virology with mathematical sciences.