Identification of the hepatitis C virus RNA replication complex in Huh-7 cells harboring subgenomic replicons

R Gosert, D Egger, V Lohmann… - Journal of …, 2003 - Am Soc Microbiol
R Gosert, D Egger, V Lohmann, R Bartenschlager, HE Blum, K Bienz, D Moradpour
Journal of virology, 2003Am Soc Microbiol
Formation of a membrane-associated replication complex, composed of viral proteins,
replicating RNA, and altered cellular membranes, is a characteristic feature of plus-strand
RNA viruses. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a specific membrane alteration,
designated the membranous web, that contains hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural
proteins, as well as viral plus-strand RNA, in Huh-7 cells harboring autonomously replicating
subgenomic HCV RNAs. Metabolic labeling with 5-bromouridine 5′-triphosphate in the …
Abstract
Formation of a membrane-associated replication complex, composed of viral proteins, replicating RNA, and altered cellular membranes, is a characteristic feature of plus-strand RNA viruses. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a specific membrane alteration, designated the membranous web, that contains hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural proteins, as well as viral plus-strand RNA, in Huh-7 cells harboring autonomously replicating subgenomic HCV RNAs. Metabolic labeling with 5-bromouridine 5′-triphosphate in the presence of actinomycin D revealed that the membranous web is the site of viral RNA synthesis and therefore represents the replication complex of HCV.
American Society for Microbiology