Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Two Methods of Heterokaryon Formation to Discover HCV Restriction Factors
16:49

Two Methods of Heterokaryon Formation to Discover HCV Restriction Factors

Published on: July 16, 2012

12.1K

A role for retromer in hepatitis C virus replication

Peiqi Yin1, Zhi Hong1, Xiaojie Yang1

  • 1MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100176, China.

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|August 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Retromer, a cellular transport machinery, is recruited by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) to replication sites. This interaction is crucial for HCV replication, suggesting retromer as a potential therapeutic target for Hepatitis C virus infection.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects over 170 million people globally.
  • Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) accumulates at HCV replication sites.
  • The role of retromer, a PI4P-related host transport machinery, in HCV replication is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the involvement of retromer in Hepatitis C virus replication.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which retromer might influence HCV replication.

Main Methods:

  • Immunoprecipitation and GST pulldown assays to detect protein interactions.
  • Confocal microscopy to visualize colocalization of proteins and PI4P.
  • RNA interference (silencing) to assess the effect of retromer subunits on HCV replication.
  • Analysis of retromer cargo (CIMPR) involvement in HCV replication.

Main Results:

  • Direct interaction between retromer subunit Vps35 and HCV NS5A protein was confirmed.
  • Vps35 colocalized with NS5A and PI4P at sites of HCV replication.
  • Silencing of retromer subunits significantly inhibited HCV replication.
  • The retromer cargo CIMPR was found to be involved in HCV replication.

Conclusions:

  • HCV NS5A protein recruits the retromer component Vps35 to viral replication sites.
  • PI4P at replication sites facilitates the unloading of retromer cargo, such as CIMPR.
  • Retromer plays a critical, dependent role in Hepatitis C virus replication.
  • Retromer emerges as a potential therapeutic target for treating HCV infection.
Keywords:
CIMPRHCVNS5API4PRetromer

More Related Videos

A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication13:04

A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication

Published on: June 26, 2014

24.8K
Development of a Hepatitis B Virus Reporter System to Monitor the Early Stages of the Replication Cycle09:35

Development of a Hepatitis B Virus Reporter System to Monitor the Early Stages of the Replication Cycle

Published on: February 1, 2017

14.1K

Related Concept Videos

Viruses with RNA Genomes01:29

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
1.3K
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
50.6K
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
15.9K
Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver.
42
LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...
20.5K
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
7.2K