Cellular and viral determinants of the hepatitis C virus replication and assembly compartment (13)

• Subject Area: Virology
• Term: from 2010 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 112927078

A hallmark of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication cycle is the extensive reorganization of intracellular membranes leading to the formation of replication organelles (ROs) mainly consisting of double-membrane vesicles (DMVs). Within the last funding period we were able to purify DMVs from HCV-infected cells, obtained evidence for a viroporin-like activity of NS4B and proposed a model on DMV biogenesis. Within the third funding period we aim to verify the proposed model by deciphering the role of distinct lipids and proteinaceous factors in DMV biogenesis and the assembly of infectious HCV particles. In addition we want to corroborate and characterize NS4B viroporin activity and its role in HCV replication.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 83: Molecular Architecture and Cellular Functions of Lipid/Protein Assemblies
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Ralf Friedrich Wilhelm Bartenschlager