title: Requirement for chloride channel function during the hepatitis C virus life cycle.
abstract: Hepatocytes express an array of plasma membrane and intracellular ion channels, yet their role during the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle remains largely undefined. Here, we show that HCV increases intracellular hepatic chloride (Cl(-)) influx that can be inhibited by selective Cl(-) channel blockers. Through pharmacological and small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing, we demonstrate that Cl(-) channel inhibition is detrimental to HCV replication. This represents the first observation of the involvement of Cl(-) channels during the HCV life cycle.
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Zsofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Igloi
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bjorn-Patrick
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Mohl
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lippiat
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom J.mankouri@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jamel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mankouri
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000502:physiology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D018118:Chloride Channels; D002712:Chlorides