Takaji Wakita

Vorapaxar and aripiprazole suppress hepatitis B virus replication through distinct host signaling pathways

This paper identifies vorapaxar and aripiprazole as inhibitors of HBV replication through distinct host signaling pathways, showing their potential as host-targeting antivirals.

Identification of molecular determinants governing KIF4 cargo recognition of NTCP and their role in HBV/HDV infection

The paper identifies a leucine-rich motif in NTCP essential for KIF4-mediated trafficking and HBV/HDV infection, revealing a conserved cargo recognition mechanism shared with integrin β1.

RXR agonist S169 inhibits HBV/HDV entry in vitro by disrupting KIF4-dependent NTCP trafficking.

This study identifies S169, an RXR agonist, as an inhibitor of HBV/HDV entry by disrupting KIF4-dependent NTCP trafficking in human hepatocytes.

Required concentration index quantifies effective drug combinations against HCV infection

The paper introduces a required concentration index to rank antiviral efficacy of HCV drug combinations and shows multidrug treatments enhance activity but reduce genotype-specific efficacy.