Identification of the Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication Complex in Huh-7 Cells Harboring Subgenomic Replicons
Year: 2003
Type: article
Abstract: Formation of a membrane-associated replication complex, composed of viral proteins, replicating RNA, and altered cellular membranes, is a characteristic feature of plus-strand RNA viruses. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a specific membrane alteration, designated the membranous web, that contains hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural proteins, as well as viral plus-strand RNA, in Huh-7 cells harboring autonomously replicating subgenomic HCV RNAs. Metabolic labeling with 5-bromouridine 5'-triphosphate in the presence of actinomycin D revealed that the membranous web is the site of viral RNA synthesis and therefore represents the replication complex of HCV.
Source: Journal of Virology
Institutions: University of Freiburg, University of Basel, Heidelberg University
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis C virus research
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2110671968