LOCALIZATION OF THE DIFFERENT HEPATITIS-C VIRUS CORE GENE-PRODUCTS EXPRESSED IN COS-1 CELLS

In this study we have investigated the subcellular localization in tra nsfected COS-1 cells of the two major forms of the hepatitis C virus c ore protein: the immature protein of 191 residues (p21) and its proteo lytically cleaved product of 173 residues (p19). In this study, and un like previous investigations, we have been able to distinguish separat ely the localization of p21 from p19. This was achieved by the additio n of a C-terminal HSV Tag to the p21 full coding sequence, and exploit ing the fact that it is subsequently lost in the p19 product. In order to obtain an accurate localization of both p21 and p19 we used a mous e anti-HSV Tag MAb together with a human anti-core MAb (B 12.F8) to pe rform double immunofluorescence studies. The results have shown that p 21 is always localized around the nuclear envelope. On the other hand, p19 can be found diffused in the cytoplasm to different degrees. Thes e in vivo results reinforce the proposed links between the regulated p rocessing of the hepatitis C virus core protein and the possibility th at this may contribute towards the regulation of its diverse biologica l functions.