Hepacivirus (taxid:11102)

VIRION

Enveloped, spherical, about 50 nm in diameter. Mature virions contain two virus-encoded membrane proteins (E1 and E2) in addition to the capsid protein.

GENOME

Monopartite, linear, ssRNA(+) genome of about 10 kb. The genome 3' terminus is not polyadenylated but forms a loop structure. There is an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) at the 5' end that mediates translation initiation.

GENE EXPRESSION

The virion RNA is infectious and serves as both the genome and the viral messenger RNA. The whole genome is translated in a polyprotein, which is processed co- and post-translationally by host and viral proteases.

ENZYMES

• RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [NS5]
• FAD capping [NS5]
• Polyprotein major protease (Peptidase S29) [NS3]
• Self-cleavage N-ter polyprotein (Peptidase C18) [NS2]

REPLICATION

1. Attachement of the viral envelope protein E to host receptors mediates internalization into the host cell by clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
2. Fusion of virus membrane with host endosomal membrane. RNA genome is released into the cytoplasm.
3. The positive-sense genomic ssRNA is translated into a polyprotein, which is cleaved into all structural and non structural proteins (to yield the replication proteins).
4. Replication takes place at the surface of endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasmic viral factories. A dsRNA genome is synthesized from the genomic ssRNA(+). Host miRNA mir-122 plays a essential role in initiating replication.
5. The dsRNA genome is transcribed/replicated thereby providing viral mRNAs/new ssRNA(+) genomes.
6. Virus assembly occurs at the endoplasmic reticulum and seems to be facilitated by the viral ionic channel p7. The virion buds at the endoplasmic reticulum and is transported to the Golgi apparatus.
7. Release of new virions by exocytosis.

Host-virus interaction

Apoptosis modulation

Flaviviruses NS3 induces apoptosis through host caspases activation

Autophagy modulation

Flaviviruses NS4A and NS4B induces autophagy signaling .

Cell-cycle modulation

Hepatitis C virus induces down-regulation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor and G1/S host cell cycle checkpoint dysregulation .

Innate immune response inhibition

Hepatitis C virus inhibits the interferon signaling pathway by blocking the IFN receptors , STAT1 and TYK2 .
Hepatitis C virus inhibits the host IFN-mediated response by blocking host MAVS , TRAFs and TBK1-IKBKE-DDX3 complex .

Host gene expression shutoff by virus

Hepatitis C virus activates PKR about 12h p.i. to shutoff host translation through the PKR-mediated phosphorylation of the eIF2alpha initiation factor .