Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 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

Hepatitis C virus structural proteins assemble into viruslike particles in insect cells

T F Baumert1, S Ito, D T Wong

  • 1Liver Diseases Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.

Journal of Virology
|April 29, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Researchers created Hepatitis C virus-like particles in insect cells, overcoming challenges in studying the virus. This model aids understanding of viral assembly and genome packaging for potential vaccine development.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes chronic hepatitis globally.
  • Studying HCV is difficult due to low viral loads, poor cell culture propagation, and lack of animal models.
  • HCV structure and assembly mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a model for producing and purifying Hepatitis C virus-like particles (VLPs).
  • To investigate the structural requirements for HCV particle assembly and genome encapsidation.
  • To explore potential applications in vaccine development.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a recombinant baculovirus system in insect cells to express HCV structural proteins.
  • Produced and purified HCV-like particles (40-60 nm) exhibiting properties similar to native virions.
  • Employed CsCl and sucrose gradient centrifugation for biophysical characterization.

Main Results:

  • HCV structural proteins assembled into enveloped VLPs in insect cell cytoplasmic cisternae.
  • HCV core and envelope proteins, excluding p7, were sufficient for particle formation.
  • HCV RNA was selectively incorporated into the VLPs over other cellular transcripts.

Conclusions:

  • The insect cell VLP production system provides a valuable tool for studying HCV assembly and genome encapsidation.
  • This model facilitates research into virus-host interactions.
  • The system shows promise for developing novel Hepatitis C virus vaccines.

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

Surface Functionalization of Hepatitis E Virus Nanoparticles Using Chemical Conjugation Methods09:12

Surface Functionalization of Hepatitis E Virus Nanoparticles Using Chemical Conjugation Methods

Published on: May 11, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Viral Structure00:56

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.
Protein Complex Assembly02:41

Protein Complex Assembly

Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types.  Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Introduction to Virus01:28

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...
Coronavirus01:29

Coronavirus

Coronaviruses, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), are enveloped viruses characterized by their single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome and helical nucleocapsid structure. The hallmark of these viruses is their club-shaped spike (S) glycoproteins that protrude from the viral envelope, facilitating attachment to host cells. Typically, coronaviruses infect the upper respiratory tract, often causing mild or asymptomatic disease. However, certain strains like...
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. The...
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...