Characterization of the hepatitis C virus NS2/3 processing reaction by using a purified precursor protein.

ABSTRACT: The NS2-NS3 region of the hepatitis C virus polyprotein encodes a proteolytic activity that is required for processing of the NS2/3 junction. Membrane association of NS2 and the autocatalytic nature of the NS2/3 processing event have so far constituted hurdles to the detailed investigation of this reaction. We now report the first biochemical characterization of the self-processing activity of a purified NS2/3 precursor. Using multiple sequence alignments, we were able to define a minimal domain, devoid of membrane-anchoring sequences, which was still capable of performing the processing reaction. This truncated protein was efficiently expressed and processed in Escherichia coli. The processing reaction could be significantly suppressed by growth in minimal medium in the absence of added z

SUBMITTER: Pallaoro M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC114565 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature