Disruption of hepatitis C virus RNA replication through inhibition of host protein geranylgeranylation

Jin Ye, Chunfu Wang, Rhea Sumpter, Michael S. Brown, Joseph L. Goldstein, Michael Gale

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

334 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA replication depends on viral protein association with intracellular membranes, but the influence of membrane composition on viral replication is unclear. We report that HCV RNA replication and assembly of the viral replication complex require geranylgeranylation of one or more host proteins. In cultured hepatoma cells, HCV RNA replication was disrupted by treatment with Iovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyglutaryl CoA reductase, or with an inhibitor of protein geranylgeranyl transferase I, each of which induced the dissolution of the HCV replication complex. Viral replication was not affected by treatment of cells with an inhibitor of farnesyl transferase. When added to Iovastatin-treated cells, geranylgeraniol, but not farnesol, restored replication complex assembly and viral replication. Inasmuch as the HCV genome does not encode a canonical geranylgeranylated protein, the data suggest the involvement of a geranylgeranylated host protein in HCV replication. Inhibition of its geranylgeranylation affords a therapeutic strategy for treatment of HCV infection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15865-15870
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume100
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 23 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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