biostudies-literatureAlhammad YMNIDA NIH HHSe0126397https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4430534biostudies-literatureUnknown10(5)The E2 glycoprotein of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major target of the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response with the majority of epitopes located within its receptor binding domain (RBD; 384-661). Within E2 are three variable regions located at the N-terminus (HVR1; 384-411), and internally at 460-480 (HVR2) and 570-580 [intergenotypic variable region (igVR)], all of which lie outside a conserved core domain that contains the CD81 binding site, essential for attachment of virions to host cells and a major target of NAbs. In this study, we examined the evolution of the E1 and E2 region in two patients infected with genotype 3a virus. Whereas one patient was able to clear the acute infection, the other developed a chronic infection. Mutations accumulated at multiple positions within the N-tPloS oneLongitudinal Sequence and Functional Evolution within Glycoprotein E2 in Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 3a Infection.PMC4430534R01 DA015999R01 DA 15999Maharajh SWhite PAAlhammad YMEden JSPoumbourios PDrummer HEButcher RfalseLongitudinal Sequence and Functional Evolution within Glycoprotein E2 in Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 3a Infection.The E2 glycoprotein of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major target of the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response with the majority of epitopes located within its receptor binding domain (RBD; 384-661). Within E2 are three variable regions located at the N-terminus (HVR1; 384-411), and internally at 460-480 (HVR2) and 570-580 [intergenotypic variable region (igVR)], all of which lie outside a conserved core domain that contains the CD81 binding site, essential for attachment of virions to host cells and a major target of NAbs. In this study, we examined the evolution of the E1 and E2 region in two patients infected with genotype 3a virus. Whereas one patient was able to clear the acute infection, the other developed a chronic infection. Mutations accumulated at multiple positions within the N-t2015-01-01T00:00:00Z20152025-04-25T21:30:14.018Z2019-03-26T23:32:44ZS-EPMC44305342597046610.1371/journal.pone.0126397