Adaptive mutations promote hepatitis C virus assembly by accelerating core translocation to the endoplasmic reticulum.

ABSTRACT: The envelopment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is believed to occur primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated membrane, and the translocation of viral Core protein from lipid droplets (LDs) to the ER is essential for the envelopment of viral particles. However, the factors involved are not completely understood. Herein, we identified eight adaptive mutations that enhanced virus spread and infectivity of genotype 1a clone TNcc in hepatoma Huh7 cells through long-term culture adaptation and reverse genetic study. Of eight mutations, I853V in NS2 and C2865F in NS5B were found to be minimal mutation sets that enabled an increase in virus production without apparently affecting RNA replication, thus suggesting its roles in the post-replication stage of the HCV life cycle. Using a prote

SUBMITTER: Zheng F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7949066 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature