Replication cycle of HBV

Schematic representation of the replication cycle of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The replication cycle of HBV begins with attachment of the virion to the hepatocyte membrane, a process that may be mediated through the pre-S1 region of the virion envelope. The virion is uncoated in the hepatocyte cytoplasm and the viral genome enters the hepatocyte nucleus. Inside the hepatocyte nucleus, synthesis of the plus strand HBV DNA is completed and the viral genome is converted into a covalently closed circular DNA (ccc DNA). The pregenomic RNA, nucleocapsid, and polymerase proteins are encapsidated in the virus core particle inside which reverse transcription takes place. A new minus strand HBV DNA is produced followed by the synthesis of a new plus strand HBV DNA. Nucleocapsids with the partially double stranded HBV DNA can reenter the hepatocyte nucleus to produce more ccc DNA or be secreted as complete virions after coating with envelope proteins.