Anticorpi Hepatitis C Virus NS3

Core protein packages viral RNA to form a viral nucleocapsid, and promotes virion budding. Modulates viral translation initiation by interacting with HCV IRES and 40S ribosomal subunit. Also regulates many host cellular functions such as signaling pathways and apoptosis. Prevents the establishment of cellular antiviral state by blocking the interferon-alpha/beta (IFN-alpha/beta) and IFN-gamma signaling pathways and by inducing human STAT1 degradation. Thought to play a role in virus-mediated cell transformation leading to hepatocellular carcinomas. Interacts with, and activates STAT3 leading to cellular transformation. May repress the promoter of p53, and sequester CREB3 and SP110 isoform 3/Sp110b in the cytoplasm. Also represses cell cycle negative regulating factor CDKN1A, thereby interrupting an important check point of normal cell cycle regulation. Targets transcription factors involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses and in the immune response: suppresses NK-kappaB activation, and activates AP-1. Could mediate apoptotic pathways through association with TNF-type receptors TNFRSF1A and LTBR, although its effect on death receptor-induced apoptosis remains controversial. Enhances TRAIL mediated apoptosis, suggesting that it might play a role in immune-mediated liver cell injury. Seric core protein is able to bind C1QR1 at the T-cell surface, resulting in down-regulation of T-lymphocytes proliferation. May transactivate human MYC, Rous sarcoma virus LTR, and SV40 promoters. May suppress the human FOS and HIV-1 LTR activity. Alters lipid metabolism by interacting with hepatocellular proteins involved in lipid accumulation and storage. Core protein induces up-regulation of FAS promoter activity, and thereby probably contributes to the increased triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes (steatosis) (By similarity).

Belongs to the hepacivirus polyprotein family.

Specific enzymatic cleavages in vivo yield mature proteins. The structural proteins, core, E1, E2 and p7 are produced by proteolytic processing by host signal peptidases. The core protein is synthesized as a 21 kDa precursor which is retained in the ER membrane through the hydrophobic signal peptide. Cleavage by the signal peptidase releases the 19 kDa mature core protein. The other proteins (p7, NS2-3, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A and NS5B) are cleaved by the viral proteases (By similarity).

Host endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Host mitochondrion membrane. Host lipid droplet.

The C-terminal transmembrane domain of core protein p21 contains an ER signal leading the nascent polyprotein to the ER membrane. Only a minor proportion of core protein is present in the nucleus and an unknown proportion is secreted.