Hepatitis C virus p7: molecular function and importance in hepatitis C virus life cycle and potential antiviral target.

摘要: p7, a 63-residue peptide encoded by hepatitis C virus (HCV), major pathogen associated with risk of developing severe liver disease, is involved in ion channel activity lipid bilayer membranes both vitro and cell-based assays. p7 protein consists two transmembrane α-helices, TM1 TM2 connected loop oriented towards the cytoplasm. HCV relies on function addition to formation for efficient assembly, release production infectious progeny virions from cells. strictly sequence specific as mutation analysis showed loss function. Moreover, can be specifically inhibited different drugs suggesting new target future antiviral chemotherapy. In present review, we focused bring together recent development explore potential role infection its inhibition therapy.