Potent Inhibition of Hepatitis E Virus Release by a Cyclic Peptide Inhibitor of the Interaction between Viral Open Reading Frame 3 Protein and Host Tumor Susceptibility Gene 101

Abstract

There is no specific therapy against hepatitis E virus (HEV)-induced hepatic and nonhepatic health problems. Prevention of the release of the progeny viruses from infected cells is an attractive strategy to limit the spread of the virus. Interactions between the viral open reading frame 3 and the host tumor susceptibility gene 101 proteins have been shown to be essential for the release of genotype 3 HEV from infected cells. In this study, we have identified a cyclic peptide inhibitor of the above-mentioned interaction and demonstrate the efficiency of the inhibitor in preventing virus release from infected cells. Thus, our findings uncover the possibility of developing a specific antiviral agent against HEV by blocking its release from infected cells.