Characterization of microRNA-protein complexes involved in Hepatitis C Virus translation regulation by the liver-specific microRNA-122

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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) replicates preferentially in the liver and causes liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Translation of the positive-strand HCV RNA genome is directed by the Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) in the 5 -UTR. The liver-specific microRNA-122 (miR-122) stimulates HCV translation by acting on two miR-122 target sites in the HCV 5 - untranslated region (5 -UTR). In this project, we want to investigate the regulation of HCV translation by miR-122. The project aims at the analysis of the microRNA-protein (miRNP) complexes involved in the action of miR-122 in HCV translation, the identification of miRNP complex components {probably including Ago proteins) and their functional characterization.