Abstract
Identification of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) as an entry
receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses (HBV and HDV) has not only promoted our understanding
of the mechanism underlying the viral entry process, but also provided cell culture
models supporting viral infection. These models have greatly facilitated cell-based
chemical screening for the discovery of entry inhibitors, and mode of action studies
using such inhibitors have shown the advantages of NTCP as a drug target. Furthermore,
in vitro chemical screening by application of high-throughput affinity-based technologies
that target NTCP has identified a variety of unique small molecules that interfere
with viral entry. This review summarizes this hot topic in the development of HBV/HDV
entry inhibitors, with special focus on the use of NTCP as a drug target.
Keywords
HBV - HDV - NTCP - entry - screening
