An amphipathic alpha-helix at the C terminus of hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 4B mediates membrane association.

ABSTRACT: Nonstructural protein 4B (NS4B) plays an essential role in the formation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication complex. It is an integral membrane protein that has been only poorly characterized to date. It is believed to comprise a cytosolic N-terminal part, a central part harboring four transmembrane passages, and a cytosolic C-terminal part. Here, we describe an amphipathic alpha-helix at the C terminus of NS4B (amino acid residues 229 to 253) that mediates membrane association and is involved in the formation of a functional HCV replication complex.

SUBMITTER: Gouttenoire J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2772773 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature