Hepatitis C virus
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Classification
Higher order taxa
Virus; ssRNA positive strand virus no DNA stage; Flaviviriade; hepacivirus
Species
Hepatitis C virus
Description and significance
The Hepatitis C virus was discovered in 1989 at Chiron, INC. The genome was located by using chimpanzees infected with a serum, that was from a patient with non-A, non-B Hepatitis. Through this screening they were able to discover what the virus was that was causing Hepatitis after blood transfusions that were not caused by Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B. This virus encodes for a single polyprotein that is about 3,000 amino acids. It is processed by host cells and viral proteases. This virus lives and infects the liver of its host. It reproduces in the hepatocytes of the liver. It is then spread throughout the body in the blood stream where it can be transmitted to another host through direct blood to blood contact. It is important for it’s genome to be sequenced because of the lethal effects of HCV. This virus has been linked to cancer of the liver, cirrhosis, and has also been linked with many HIV patients. Also of importance because currently there are 6 different genotypes of HCV and through testing we have learned that different genotypes react differently to different methods of treatment.
Genome structure
The Genome of HCV is approximately 10,000 base pairs long. It contains single open reading frame (ORF) that encodes for a polyprotein of about 3000 amino acids. At both the 5’ and 3’ ends there are non coding regions. There are about 6 main types of genomic structure for HCV.
Cell structure and metabolism
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Ecology
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Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
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