An anti-viral peptide derived from the preS1 surface protein of hepatitis B virus

Abstract

The preS1 surface protein of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a key factor involved in initial viral entry into hepatocytes. It has been long postulated that an anti-HBV effect should be achievable using peptide fragments of the preSl. Recent reports demonstrated that several preSl -derived lipo-peptides in genotype D HBV exhibit nano to picomolar inhibitory activity against HBV infection. In this study, an acylated analog of a preS1 fragment, a 21-residue lipo-peptide (named 7524 BVS7) with a sequence of palmitoyl- GMGTNLSVPNPLGFFPDHQLDC-NH2, from genotype C HBV was produced base upon a previous structural study and was shown potently inhibits HBV infection with an IC50 of ? 20 nM.