Understanding the interaction of hepatitis C virus with host DEAD-box RNA helicases.

ABSTRACT: The current therapeutic regimen to combat chronic hepatitis C is not optimal due to substantial side effects and the failure of a significant proportion of patients to achieve a sustained virological response. Recently developed direct-acting antivirals targeting hepatitis C virus (HCV) enzymes reportedly increase the virologic response to therapy but may lead to a selection of drug-resistant variants. Besides direct-acting antivirals, another promising class of HCV drugs in development include host targeting agents that are responsible for interfering with the host factors crucial for the viral life cycle. A family of host proteins known as DEAD-box RNA helicases, characterized by nine conserved motifs, is known to play an important role in RNA metabolism. Several members of this family s

SUBMITTER: Upadya MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3961968 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature