Apolipoprotein E interacts with hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 5A and determines assembly of infectious particles

Benga, W. J. A. et al. (2010) Apolipoprotein E interacts with hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 5A and determines assembly of infectious particles. Hepatology, 51(1), pp. 43-53. (doi: 10.1002/hep.23278) (PMID:20014138)

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Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. Restriction of HCV infection to human hepatocytes suggests that liver-specific host factors play a role in the viral life cycle. Using a yeast-two-hybrid system, we identified apolipoprotein E (apoE) as a liver-derived host factor specifically interacting with HCV nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) but not with other viral proteins. The relevance of apoE–NS5A interaction for viral infection was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization studies of apoE and NS5A in an infectious HCV cell culture model system. Silencing apoE expression resulted in marked inhibition of infectious particle production without affecting viral entry and replication. Analysis of particle production in liver-derived cells with silenced apoE expression showed impairment of infectious particle assembly and release. The functional relevance of the apoE–NS5A interaction for production of viral particles was supported by loss or decrease of apoE–NS5A binding in assembly-defective viral mutants. Conclusion: These results suggest that recruitment of apoE by NS5A is important for viral assembly and release of infectious viral particles. These findings have important implications for understanding the HCV life cycle and the development of novel antiviral strategies targeting HCV–lipoprotein interaction.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McLauchlan, Professor John
Authors: Benga, W. J. A., Krieger, S. E., Dimitrova, M., Zeisel, M. B., Parnot, M., Lupberger, J., Hildt, E., Luo, G., McLauchlan, J., Baumert, T. F., and Schuster, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
Journal Name:Hepatology
ISSN:0270-9139
ISSN (Online):1527-3350
Published Online:09 September 2009

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
656341Virus-host interactions in hepatitis C virus infectionJohn MclauchlanMedical Research Council (MRC)MC_UU_12014/1MVLS III - CENTRE FOR VIRUS RESEARCH