The long noncoding RNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 promotes the formation of hepatitis B virus cccDNA by modulating the expression of NABP1.

Long noncoding RNA MAPKAPK5-AS1 is essential for HBV cccDNA formation by modulating NABP1 expression in infected cells.

• Why it matters: Understanding how host lncRNAs influence HBV replication can reveal new therapeutic targets for hepatitis B, a major global health concern.
• What they did: A loss-of-function screen of 1779 human lncRNAs identified 19 associated with HBV infection, with MAPKAPK5-AS1 (lnc-MAAS) being crucial for HBV, and mechanistic studies showed it affects cccDNA formation by regulating NABP1 expression.
• The result: These findings highlight the roles of lnc-MAAS and NABP1 in HBV cccDNA formation, providing insights that may aid in developing novel anti-HBV therapies.