Fig. 1. Binding to and entry in to hepatocytes.

The hepatitis B virion is shown in (A) making an initial “docking” on to heparin sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), followed by (B) “rolling” to Sodium Taurocholate Polypeptide (NTCP) receptors, which are believed to be the higher affinity receptor for the virus. Cellular functions mediating these steps are indicated in orange, research phase compounds that interfere with these steps are shown in pinkish red, with compounds that are clinical phase, or approved, in light blue. This scheme was illustrated by using the Biology Bundle of Motifolio Drawing Toolkits (www.motifolio.com) (the same as following figures). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)