title: Replication of hepatitis C virus genotype 3a in cultured cells.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3a is widespread worldwide, but no replication system exists for its study. We describe a subgenomic replicon system for HCV genotype 3a. We determined the consensus sequence of an HCV genome isolated from a patient, and constructed a subgenomic replicon using this clone. The replicon was transfected into HuH-7 cells and RNA replication was confirmed. We identified cell culture-adaptive mutations that increased colony formation multiple-fold. We have therefore established a genotype 3a replicon system that can be used to study this HCV genotype.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mohsan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gondeau
authors.forename: Susu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hmwe
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yokokawa
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Date
authors.forename: Tetsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Takanobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maurel
authors.forename: Takaji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wakita
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D012093:Replicon / Q000235:genetics*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral