Structure and function of the Hepatitis C Virus glycoproteins E1 and E2.

丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染了全球约3%的人口，目前澳大利亚有15万至20万HCV感染者。慢性丙型肝炎病毒感染与复发性、逐渐恶化的肝病、肝硬化和肝细胞癌有关。目前的治疗方法（干扰素-利巴韦林）仅对40%的患者有效，而且常常伴有严重的副作用。HCV在肝细胞中复制的机制尚不清楚。在这个项目中，我们的目标是更好地了解病毒糖蛋白E1和E2在感染起始中的作用。特别是，我们将研究这些糖蛋白如何结合到肝细胞受体，然后介导病毒-细胞膜融合。这些过程导致HCV遗传物质渗透到细胞中进行复制。这些研究对于发现抗病毒药物和疫苗的新靶点至关重要。

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects approximately 3 % of the global human population with 150,000-200,000 HCV-infected individuals currently living in Australia. Chronic HCV infection is associated with recurrent, progressively worsening liver disease, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The current therapy (interferon-ribavirin) is effective in only 40 % of patients and is often associated with severe side-effects. The mechanisms that HCV uses to replicate in liver cells is poorly understood. In this project we aim to better understand how the viral glycoproteins, E1 and E2, function in the initiation of infection. In particular, we will examine how these glycoproteins bind to liver cell receptors and then mediate virus-cell membrane fusion. These processes lead to the penetration of the HCV genetic material into the cell where it is replicated. These studies are essential for the discovery of new targets for antiviral agents and vaccines.