Expression and characterization of the hepatitis G virus helicase.
The hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a new member of the Flaviviridae family and has a genomic organization similar to that of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Protein sequence motifs are present suggesting that HGV encodes a serine proteinase, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and a helicase. We have cloned and expressed the putative helicase of HGV and have shown that it contains a poly (U)-stimulated NTPase activity and is able to function as a DNA helicase. Preliminary characterization of the HGV helicase activity reveals similarities with other members of the Flaviviridae, but especially with HCV, raising the possibility that HGV could be used as a surrogate virus for the development of therapies against HCV.
Laxton
C D
CD
Department of Virology, Roche Discovery Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK.
McMillan
D
D
Sullivan
V
V
Ackrill
A M
AM
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004265:DNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D058619:Maltose-Binding Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D058619:Maltose-Binding Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D004265:DNA Helicases