title: Hepatitis C virus core protein: an update on its molecular biology, cellular functions and clinical implications.
abstract: The present review article is an update on various features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein including its molecular biology, role in HCV replication, involvement in HCV pathogenesis, etiological role in hepatocellular carcinogenesis, significance in diagnosis and vaccination against HCV infection. Core protein is a structural protein of HCV virus and has only recently been characterized. It was found to play a major role in HCV-induced viral hepatitis. Although published information shows a lot about the clinical significance of HCV core protein, several studies are still needed to demonstrate its exact significance in viral biology and underlying HCV pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Biochemistry Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. drirshad54@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irshad
authors.forename: Indranil
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dhar
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D008967:Molecular Biology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus