A reporter cell line for rapid and sensitive evaluation of hepatitis C virus infectivity and replication.

The human pathogen hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with chronic liver disease. The recent development of the cell culture infectious HCV (HCVcc) system has opened up avenues for detailed studies on the life cycle of the virus and its interaction with the host cell. Current methods to quantitate virus infectivity in cell culture are time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Cell culture adaptation of hepatitis C virus and in vivo viability of an adapted variant.

Production of infectious hepatitis C virus in cell culture has become possible because of the unique properties of the JFH1 isolate. However, virus titers are rather low, limiting the utility of this system. Here we describe the generation of cell culture-adapted JFH1 variants yielding higher titers of infectious particles and enhanced spread of infection in cultured cells.

Specific and distinct determinants mediate membrane binding and lipid raft incorporation of HIV-1(SF2) Nef.

Membrane association is believed to be a prerequisite for the biological activity of the HIV-1 pathogenicity factor Nef. Attachment to cellular membranes as well as incorporation into detergent-insoluble microdomains (lipid rafts) require the N-terminal myristoylation of Nef. However, this modification is not sufficient for sustained membrane association and a specific raft-targeting signal for Nef has not yet been identified.