Scavenger receptor class F member 2 is an intracellular receptor for hepatitis B virus.

Cell
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Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects hepatocytes by specific binding to the cell-surface receptor-sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP)-through the preS1 region of its large envelope protein, followed by a less well-understood transport process across the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Here, we report that scavenger receptor class F member 2 (SCARF2), a single-pass transmembrane protein, functions as an intracellular receptor for HBV. SCARF2 binds to a preS1 region downstream of the NTCP binding site through its N-terminal epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains 4-6, and its proline-rich C-terminal domain also plays an indispensable role in the infection. The internalized HBV virions are transported to the cytoplasmic side of nuclear pore complexes within the SCARF2-containing endosomes. HBV nucleocapsid release from the endosomal vesicles is impaired by knockdown of SCARF2. These results suggest a model in which SCARF2 conveys HBV to the periphery of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and ultimately leads to viral nucleocapsid release for nuclear entry.

Year of Publication
2026
Journal
Cell
Date Published
05/2026
ISSN
1097-4172
DOI
10.1016/j.cell.2026.04.045
PubMed ID
42167249
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