Authors: Eike Steinmann, Francois Penin, Stephanie Kallis, Arvind H Patel, Ralf Bartenschlager, Thomas Pietschmann
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030103
Abstract Summary
HCV’s p7 protein, previously known to form ion channels, proves essential for viral assembly and release rather than entry. Using novel infection systems, researchers found p7 promotes virus production in a genotype-specific manner, likely through interactions with other viral factors. Notably, p7 variants differ substantially in efficiency, suggesting it’s a key virulence factor influencing viral fitness and disease progression.
Why Brain? đź§
HCV p7 protein is essential for viral assembly and release, not entry, making it a key target for antiviral drugs. Variants differ in efficiency, potentially affecting disease severity and persistence.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
