In vitro assembly of nucleocapsid-like particles from purified recombinant capsid protein of dengue-2 virus.

The capsid protein is one of the three structural proteins of flaviviruses and is the building block of the nucleocapsid. It has also a predominant role in the replication of dengue virus. To obtain nucleocapsid-like particles from recombinant dengue-2 capsid protein produced in E.

Preparation of plasmid DNA-containing liposomes using a high-pressure homogenization--extrusion technique.

High-pressure homogenization-extrusion (HPHE) is a method that can be used for downsizing large lipid vesicles with commercially available instrumentation (e.g., from Avestin Inc.

HCV core protein localizes in the nuclei of nonparenchymal liver cells from chronically HCV-infected patients.

Understanding the mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) pathogenesis is an important part of HCV research. Recent experimental evidence suggests that the HCV core protein (HCcAg) has numerous functional activities. These properties suggest that HCcAg, in concert with cellular factors, may contribute to pathogenesis during persistent HCV infection.

In vitro assembly into virus-like particles is an intrinsic quality of Pichia pastoris derived HCV core protein.

Different variants of hepatitis C virus core protein (HCcAg) have proved to self-assemble in vitro into virus-like particles (VLPs). However, difficulties in obtaining purified mature HCcAg have limited these studies. In this study, a high degree of monomeric HCcAg purification was accomplished using chromatographic procedures under denaturing conditions.

Nuclear localization of nucleocapsid-like particles and HCV core protein in hepatocytes of a chronically HCV-infected patient.

Little is known about the life cycle of hepatitis C virus. Determination of the subcellular localization of HCV proteins may contribute to our understanding of the in vivo functions of the viral proteins. HCV core protein regulates multiple functions in host cells and it has been detected both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus using different expression systems.

Ultrastructural evidences of HCV infection in hepatocytes of chronically HCV-infected patients.

In this study, 13 samples of liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C were studied by transmission electron microscopy (EM) and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). The 13 biopsies showed ultrastructural cell damage typical of acute viral hepatitis. In four of the 13 liver biopsies enveloped virus-like particles (VLPs) inside cytoplasmic vesicles and in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes were observed.