Figure 6.

HBc dimer-dimer mutants inhibit capsid-associated HBV DNA and virion production in a dose-dependent manner. HepG2 cells were co-transfected with different ratios of HBc mutants (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 µg) to pHBV1.2 (1 µg). After 5 days post-transfection, the (A) capsid-associated HBV DNA and (B) virions in the medium were purified; the amounts produced were determined. The experiment was repeated in triplicate. Date are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. *P<0.05 vs. pcDNA3.1.