Identification of a novel protein binding to hepatitis C virus core protein.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is a multi-functional viral protein that interacts with several target proteins of both viral and cellular origin.


OBJECTIVE
To gain insight into the mechanism of action of HCV core protein, we used a yeast two-hybrid system to identify the core protein-interacting cellular targets.


RESULTS
A cDNA clone encoding an aspartoacylase was obtained, termed aspartoacylase 3 (ACY3). Interaction between ACY3 and HCV core protein was verified using a co-immunoprecipitation assay in vitro, and a mammalian two-hybrid system in vivo. Fluorescence microscopy showed green fluorescence protein-fused ACY3 localized in the cytoplasm.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that ACY3 is an HCV core binding protein, which may play a role in the development of HCV-associated diseases.
Chen
Yun-Ru
YR
The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
Chen
Tian-Yan
TY
Zhang
Shu-Lin
SL
Lin
Shu-Mei
SM
Zhao
Ying-Ren
YR
Ye
Feng
F
Zhang
Xi
X
Shi
Lei
L
Dang
Shuang-Suo
SS
Liu
Min
M
D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D019556:COS Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003600:Cytosol / Q000201:enzymology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs; D025941:Protein Interaction Mapping; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D000581:Amidohydrolases; C019751:aspartoacylase