HBV X protein mutations affect HBV transcription and association of histone-modifying enzymes with covalently closed circular DNA

The hepatitis B X protein (HBx) plays a role in the epigenetic regulation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. This study investigated the effects of HBx mutations on HBV transcription and the recruitment of HBx, histone acetyl-transferase P300 and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to circularized HBV DNA (which resembles covalently closed circular DNA [cccDNA]). Compared with wild type, majority of mutants had lower levels of intracellular HBV RNA (44-77% reduction) and secretory HBsAg (25-81% reduction), and 12 mutants had a reduction in intracellular encapsidated HBV DNA (33-64% reduction). Eight mutants with >70% reduction in HBV RNA and/or HBsAg were selected for chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Four HBx mutants with mutations in amino acid residues 55-60 and 121-126 had a lower degree of HBx-cccDNA association than wild type HBx (mean % input: 0.02-0.64% vs. 3.08% in wild type). A reduced association between cccDNA and P300 (mean % input: 0.69-1.81% vs. 3.48% in wild type) and an augmented association with HDAC1 (mean % input: 4.01-14.0% vs. 1.53% in wild type) were detected. HBx amino acid residues 55-60 and 121-126 may play an important role in HBV transcription regulation, via their impeded interaction with cccDNA and altered recruitment of histone modifying enzymes to cccDNA.