Binding of human lipoproteins (low, very low, high density lipoproteins) to recombinant envelope proteins of hepatitis C virus

Heterogeneities in the density of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA-carrying mate rial from human sera (1.03-1.20 g/ml) are partially due to the binding of l ipoproteins [low density (LDL), very low density (VLDL), high density (HDL) lipoproteins] and immunoglobulins. In this study we demonstrate the bindin g of recombinant HCV envelope protein (E1/E2) to human LDL, VLDL and HDL on a molecular basis. The binding: of lipoproteins was restricted to the midd le part of the El gene product (amino acids 222-336) and the C-terminal par t of the E2 protein (amino acids 523-809). Lipoproteins did not bind to rec ombinant HCV core protein.