HCV causes chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress leading to adaptation and interference with the unfolded protein response.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the cellular site for protein folding. ER stress occurs when protein folding capacity is exceeded. This stress induces a cyto-protective signaling cascades termed the unfolded protein response (UPR) aimed at restoring homeostasis. While acute ER stress is lethal, chronic sub-lethal ER stress causes cells to adapt by attenuation of UPR activation. Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major human pathogen, was shown to cause ER stress, however it is unclear whether HCV induces chronic ER stress, and if so whether adaptation mechanisms are initiated. We wanted to characterize the kinetics of HCV-induced ER stress during infection and assess adaptation mechanisms and their significance.

Methods and findings

The HuH7.5.1 cellular system and HCV-

SUBMITTER: Merquiol E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3176279 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature