title: Hepatitis C virus entry and the tetraspanin CD81.
abstract: CD81, a member of the tetraspanin integral membrane protein family, has been identified as an essential receptor for HCV (hepatitis C virus). The present review highlights recent published data on the role that CD81 plays in HCV entry, including the importance of actin-dependent lateral diffusion of CD81 within the cell membrane, CD81 endocytosis and the CD81-Claudin-1 receptor complex in HCV internalization. Additional functions for CD81 in the viral life cycle and the role of HCV-CD81 interactions in HCV-induced B-cell and CNS (central nervous system) abnormalities are discussed.
authors.affiliation: HCV Research Group, Institute for Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. m.j.farquhar@bham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Farquhar
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McKeating
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000502:physiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology; D060225:Tetraspanin 28; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D053586:Virus Internalization
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C554798:CD81 protein, human; D060225:Tetraspanin 28; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C091015:glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus