Identification of acetyltransferase genes (HAT1 and KAT8) regulating HBV replication by RNAi screening

BACKGROUND: The initiation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication involves the formation of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and its transcription into pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) in hepatocyte nuclei. The regulatory mechanism of HBV replication by acetyltransferase is thus far not well understood, but human acetyltransferase has been reported as being involved in the regulation of HBV replication. RESULTS: Depletion of KAT8 or HAT1 via RNA interference (RNAi) markedly down-regulated HBV-DNA and pgRNA levels in HepG2.2.15 cells, with KAT8 knockdown reducing both HBsAg and HBeAg more than HAT1 knockdown. Consistent with these observations, HBV replication regulators hepatocyte nuclear factor-4-α (HNF4α) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator- (PPARGC-) 1-α were decreased following knockdown of HAT1 or KAT8. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that KAT8 or HAT1 regulate HBV replication and may be potential drug targets of anti-HBV therapy. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13578-015-0059-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.