Targeted inhibition of IGF2BP1 effectively suppresses HBV replication via an m6A-dependent manner.

Elucidation of the regulation mechanism of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication will provide potential targets for the development of novel anti-HBV therapeutics. It has been reported that the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of HBV RNA plays a crucial role in the HBV life cycle. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of this modification remain incompletely understood. In this study, combining loss- and gain-of-function genetic analyses, we defined the role of IGF2BP1, an m6A reader, in facilitating HBV replication. Mechanistic studies revealed that IGF2BP1 stabilizes HBV RNAs primarily by binding to m6A-modified A1907 sites through its KH3-4 domain, thereby enhancing viral replication. Furthermore, targeted inhibition of IGF2BP1 by Cucurbitacin B, a small molecule inhibitor of IGF2BP1, was shown to inhibit HBV replication in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these findings identify IGF2BP1 as a critical host regulator of HBV RNA stability through an m6A-dependent manner and targeted inhibition of IGF2BP1 effectively attenuates viral replication, providing a promising strategy for anti-HBV drug development.