Hepatitis C viral protein translation modulation

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The long-term goal of this research program is to study hepatitis C virus (HCV) protein translation. As an important step in virus lifecycle, HCV protein translation is primarily controlled by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) present in the 5'untranslated region (5'UTR). In addition, 3'UTR and nonstructural protein-5A (NS5A) have been shown to impact HCV protein translation. We have demonstrated that HCV NS5A inhibits HCV protein translation through binding to the poly-U/UC sequence in the 3'UTR. In addition, our ongoing research showed that a cellular kinase Akt3 is involved in modulating HCV protein translation. As such, the short-term goal of this proposal is to further characterize the molecular mechanisms by which HCV NS5A modulates HCV protein translation. We will test the hypothesis that HCV NS5A protein inhibits HCV protein translation through binding to HCV 3'UTR and through Akt3-mediated signal transduction pathways. Research will focus in three objectives.