SUPPRESSION OF APOPTOTIC CELL-DEATH BY HEPATITIS-C VIRUS CORE PROTEIN

We have previously demonstrated the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) co re protein in the transcriptional regulation of cellular and unrelated viral promoters. Furthermore, the core protein in cooperation with H- ras oncogene transforms primary rat embryo fibroblast cells to the tum origenic phenotype. In the present study, the functional role of HCV c ore protein was investigated to determine its potential to inhibit me onset of apoptotic cell death. Expression of HCV core protein inhibite d cisplatin mediated apoptosis In human cervical epithelial cells, and apoptosis induced by the overexpression of c-myc in Chinese hamster o varian cells. Results from these studies suggest that the core protein may have a biological implication in the pathogenesis of HCV infectio n. (C) 1996 Academic Press Inc.