Convert hepatitis C virus into a non-enveloped virus like hepatitis A, by targeting its envelope rather than the RNA.
Based on the current understanding of the differences between the structure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in one hand and the hepatitis A and E viruses (HAV and HEV) in the other hand, we hypothesize that converting the HCV into a non-enveloped virus may be the required key step in allowing viral clearance and preventing chronic viremia. Better understanding of the structure of HCV envelop, and of the mechanisms involved in its acquisition is essential for the development of agents that can interfere with "envelopization" of the newer copies of HCV RNA genome.
Helmy
Ahmed
A
Department of Liver Transplantation, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC), MBC 72, P.O. Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia. ahsalem10@hotmail.com
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015195:Drug Design; D016679:Genome, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000821:virology; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins