Combined small molecule and loss-of-function screen uncovers estrogen receptor alpha and CAD as host factors for HDV infection and antiviral targets

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a circular RNA virus coinfecting hepatocytes with hepatitis B virus. Chronic hepatitis D results in severe liver disease and an increased risk of liver cancer. Efficient therapeutic approaches against HDV are absent.Here, we combined an RNAi loss-of-function and small molecule screen to uncover host-dependency factors for HDV infection.Functional screening unravelled the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-signalling and...