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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2014; 20(23): 7104-7122
Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7104
Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7104
Production and pathogenicity of hepatitis C virus core gene products
Hui-Chun Li, Department of Biochemistry, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
Hsin-Chieh Ma, Chee-Hing Yang, Shih-Yen Lo, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
Shih-Yen Lo, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 97004, Taiwan
Author contributions: Lo SY designed research; Ma HC performed research; Li HC, Yang CH and Lo SY wrote the paper.
Supported by Grants from the National Science Council of Taiwan, NSC 101-2320-B-320-011 to Lo SY and from the Tzu Chi University, TCMRC-P-101015 and TCRPP101017 to Li HC and Lo SY
Correspondence to: Shih-Yen Lo, Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Tzu Chi University, 701, Section 3, Chung Yang Road, Hualien 97004, Taiwan. losylo@mail.tcu.edu.tw
Telephone: +886-3-8565301-2320 Fax: +886-3-8571917
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: December 5, 2013
Accepted: April 1, 2014
Published online: June 21, 2014
Processing time: 265 Days and 22.9 Hours
Revised: December 5, 2013
Accepted: April 1, 2014
Published online: June 21, 2014
Processing time: 265 Days and 22.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: In addition to the mature core protein (a.a. 1-177) and the cleaved peptide (a.a. 178-191), different alternative reading frame (ARF)/core+1 proteins could be expressed from the core+1 reading frame of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core gene. Core gene products play an important role in the HCV pathogenesis. Core protein could induce insulin resistance, steatosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. The peptide (a.a. 178-191) may play a role in the immune response and steatosis development. ARF proteins/core+1/F protein could enhance hepatocyte growth and may regulate iron metabolism. We summarized the current knowledge regarding the HCV core gene products and their pathogenicity in this article.