The mechanism of replication of hepatitis B virus: Evidence of asymmetric replication of the two DNA strands

Abstract
In this study we have characterised the DNA replicative intermediates of hepatitis B virus and have shown that HBV-DNA replication is asymmetric. This pattern of HBV replication is similar to that reported for the related duck hepatitis virus (DHBV) and suggests the involvement of a similar reverse transcription process in HBV-DNA replication.