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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2014; 20(2): 425-435
Published online Jan 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i2.425
Published online Jan 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i2.425
Core promoter: A critical region where the hepatitis B virus makes decisions
Jorge Quarleri, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
Author contributions: Quarleri J solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Jorge Quarleri, PhD, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina. quarleri@fmed.uba.ar
Telephone: +54-11-45083689 Fax: +54-11-4508 3705
Received: August 23, 2013
Revised: September 17, 2013
Accepted: October 19, 2013
Published online: January 14, 2014
Revised: September 17, 2013
Accepted: October 19, 2013
Published online: January 14, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: This review summarized the progress in our understanding of the core promoter of hepatitis B virus. This critical genomic region is involved in regulating hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene expression and viral replication, involving both host and virus-derived factors on its regulation. Such pivotal functions appear modified when genomic variations are detected and clinical implications are characterized. This review emphasizes several aspects of the HBV core promoter molecular biology and highlights its role on HBV life cycle. Finally, the most frequent genomic variations with their consequent clinical correlations are described.