Salient molecular features of hepatitis C virus revealed.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive strand RNA virus with a narrow host and tissue tropism. It ranks among the most significant of human pathogens, causing inflammation, scarring and cancer of the liver. Recent investigations have shed light on some of the salient molecular features of this virus. These include a requirement for CD81 (a tetraspanin transmembrane protein for viral entry), a novel mechanism for the initiation of RNA synthesis, phosphorylation of a viral protein in the regulation of RNA amplification and virus assembly and, finally, a viral protease suppressing activation of the innate immune response in infected cells.
Seeger
Christoph
C
Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA. Seeger@fccc.edu
D015703:Antigens, CD; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000502:physiology*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D060225:Tetraspanin 28; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000502:physiology
D015703:Antigens, CD; C554798:CD81 protein, human; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D060225:Tetraspanin 28; D014764:Viral Proteins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases