Specific polymorphisms in hepatitis C virus genotype 3 core protein associated with intracellular lipid accumulation.
Published
Journal Article
BACKGROUND: Steatosis is a common histological finding and a poor prognostic indicator in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In HCV genotype 3-infected patients, the etiology of steatosis appears to be closely correlated with unknown viral factors that increase intracellular lipid levels. We hypothesize that specific sequence polymorphisms in HCV genotype 3 core protein may be associated with hepatic intracellular lipid accumulation. METHODS: Using selected serum samples from 8 HCV genotype 3-infected patients with or without steatosis, we sequenced the HCV core gene to identify candidate polymorphisms associated with increased intracellular lipid levels. RESULTS: Two polymorphisms at positions 182 and 186 of the core protein correlated with the presence (P= .03) and absence (P= .005) of intrahepatic steatosis. Transfected liver cell lines expressing core protein with steatosis-associated polymorphisms had increased intracellular lipid levels compared with non-steatosis-associated core isolates, as measured by oil red O staining (P= .02). Site-specific mutagenesis performed at positions 182 and 186 in steatosis-associated core genes yielded proteins that had decreased intracellular lipid levels in transfected cells (P= .03). CONCLUSIONS: We have identified polymorphisms in HCV core protein genotype 3 that produce increased intracellular lipid levels and thus may play a significant role in lipid metabolism or trafficking, contributing to steatosis.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Jhaveri, R; McHutchison, J; Patel, K; Qiang, G; Diehl, AM
Published Date
- January 15, 2008
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 197 / 2
Start / End Page
- 283 - 291
PubMed ID
- 18177246
Pubmed Central ID
- 18177246
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0022-1899
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1086/524846
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States