Hep C NS5b Background Information
Hep C (hepatitis C), the major causative agent of chronic and sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis worldwide, and Hep G, which is closely related to Hep C, are members of the hepacivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. Nonstructural (NS) proteins of Hep C play major roles in viral replication and the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Hep C NS (non-structural protein), including NS5a, form a large multi-protein replication complex, which directs the replication of the Hep C genome. Hep C NS5a has been shown to inhibit the cellular interferon (IFN)-induced protein kinase R (PKR). It is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) which plays an essential role in viral RNA replication. The Hep C NS3 protein contains protease and RNA helicase activities, both of which are likely to be essential for Hep C propagation. The Hep G NS3 protease is responsible for the cleavage of the Hep G polyprotein at four different locations. The small proteins NS2a, NS2b, NS4a and NS4b are hydrophobic, suggesting a possible membrane-related function.
