HCV NS5A Inhibitor from Theravance, Inc. to treat hepatitis C virus infection
Reporter: Larry H Bernstein, MD, FCAP
The virus responsible for HCV infection has been identified as a positive-strand RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae. The HCV genome encodes a polyprotein that during the viral lifecycle is cleaved into ten individual proteins, including both structural and non-structural proteins. The six non-structural proteins, denoted as NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B have been shown to be required for RNA replication. In particular, the NS5A protein appears to play a significant role in viral replication, as well as in modulation of the physiology of the host cell. Effects of NS5A on interferon signaling, regulation of cell growth and apoptosis have also been identified. (Macdonald et al., Journal of General Virology (2004), 85, 2485-2502.) Compounds which inhibit the function of the NS5A protein are expected to provide a useful approach to HCV therapy.
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