Myristoylation signal transfer from the large to the middle or the small HBV envelope protein leads to a loss of HDV particles infectivity.

A myristate linked to the N-terminus of the large hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein was found to be required for infectivity of the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). Myristoylation of the large HBV envelope protein being known as indispensable for HBV infectivity, this result further demonstrates the similarities between the HBV and HDV entry pathways. In addition, the transfer of the N-myristoylation signal from the large to the middle or the small HBV envelope protein led in both cases to a loss of HDV infectivity. Hence, it is suggested that viral entry could depend on a physical link, or a spatial association, between the N-terminal receptor-binding polypeptide of the large protein and the myristoyl anchor linked to glycine-2.