title: Comparative analysis of intracellular inhibition of hepatitis C virus replication by small interfering RNAs.
abstract: Several synthetic siRNAs were designed to target various regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon RNA. The antiviral efficacies of the siRNAs were compared using real time PCR and western blot assessment. siRNAs targeting either specific coding region of HCV NS3 or NS5B were the most efficacious in terms of gene silencing and inhibitory activity of the HCV replicon replication. There was no activation of genes involved in innate immune response by the HCV-specific siRNA, indicating that HCV replication inhibition was not due to non-specific antiviral response. Moreover, 5'-RACE PCR analysis showed that the silencing effect by the siRNAs was mainly caused by specific cleavage of targeted HCV genomic RNA. These findings suggest that RNAi targeting HCV coding regions could provide a useful approach to anti-HCV treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Nanosensor and Biotechnology, Dankook University, 126, Jukjeon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin 448-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Byeongyong
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chang Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joo Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seong-Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D020868:Gene Silencing; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000254:growth & development*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins