Genetic heterogeneity of the NS5A gene of hepatitis C virus and early response to interferon-alpha.
The double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase-binding domain (PKRbd) of the NS5A gene of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied by the cloning and sequencing method, in HCV-infected patients who had a primary resistance to treatment with interferon (IFN)-alpha (early nonresponders). Patients whose virus load decreased by >or=0.5 log (early responders) were similarly analyzed. In the 2 groups, the PKRbd evolved similarly over the first 24 h. Selection of resistant HCV variants is unlikely to explain primary resistance to IFN-alpha.
Boulestin
Anne
A
Laboratoire de Virologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Purpan, Toulouse, France. aboulestin@yahoo.fr.
Sandres-Saune
Karine
K
Payen
Jean-Louis
JL
Rostaing
Lionel
L
Pasquier
Christophe
C
Izopet
Jacques
J
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019562:Viral Load; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; C087036:NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase