HCV NEEDS A FAT ENZYME

Hepatitis C virus replicating

HCV NEEDS A FAT ENZYME

Researchers at Gladstone Institute have
discovered that a certain enzyme, DGAT1,
is needed for HCV to be able to infect cells.

This enzyme is linked to fat stored in the
liver. Pharmaceutical companies are already
developing DGAT1 inhibitors, and
these may be useful as a hepatitis C treatment
in the future. These inhibitors are now
in clinical trials for obesity problems.
Scientists knew that the life cycle of

HCV is like this: The virus produces a protein
which makes viral enzymes and proteins
for a new virus copy. The RNA and
other proteins make new viruses which
spread into the blood in search of more
cells to infect.

It was thought that this process took
place inside the cell, but there are fat droplets
where fat is stored in the cells, and
DGAT1 helps those droplets to form. The
DGAT1 works together with part of the
virus’s core protein needed to build the new
viruses. HCV has trouble multiplying if
there is no DGAT1.

Source: http://www.newkerala.com/

http://www.hepcbc.ca/bulletin/2010/2010-11.pdf