Hepatitis C virus f protein is a short-lived protein associated with the endoplasmic reticulum.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) F protein is a newly discovered HCV gene product that is expressed by translational ribosomal frameshift. Little is known about the biological properties of this protein. By performing pulse-chase labeling experiments, we demonstrate here that the F protein is a labile protein with a half-life of <10 min in Huh7 hepatoma cells and in vitro. The half-life of the F protein could be substantially increased by proteasome inhibitors, suggesting that the rapid degradation of the F protein is mediated by the proteasome pathway. Further immunofluorescence staining and subcellular fractionation experiments indicate that the F protein is primarily associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. This subcellular localization is similar to those of HCV core and NS5A proteins, raising the possibility that the F protein may participate in HCV morphogenesis or replication.
Xu
Zhenming
Z
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033-1054, USA.
Choi
Jinah
J
Lu
Wen
W
Ou
Jing-hsiung
JH
D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006207:Half-Life; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D014779:Virus Replication
D014764:Viral Proteins