Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase is divided into terminal protein, spacer, reverse transcriptase, and RNase domains. Spacer has previously been considered dispensable, merely acting as a tether between other domains or providing plasticity to accommodate deletions and mutations. We explore evidence for the role of spacer sequence, structure, and function in HBV evolution and lineage, consider its associations with escape from drugs, vaccines, and immune responses, and review its potential impacts on disease outcomes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Virology |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Apr 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:P.C.M. is funded by a Wellcome intermediate fellowship, reference no. 110110/Z/15/ Z. A.L.M. has received NIHR Research Capability Funding (RCF) from the University of Oxford. This research was funded in whole, or in part, by the Wellcome Trust. For the purpose of Open Access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright license to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Pley et al.
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