Hepatitis C virus minus-strand RNA (HCV (-) RNA)

The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) minus-strand RNA is a critical replication intermediate produced during the viral life cycle within host hepatocytes. As HCV is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus, it must synthesize a complementary negative-strand (minus-strand) RNA to serve as a template for the production of progeny genomic positive-strand RNA (Source: NIH, 2023). This synthesis is catalyzed by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, NS5B, and occurs within specialized replication complexes associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (Source: Journal of Virology, 2021). Because the minus strand is only present during active viral replication and is not packaged into the virion, its detection is considered a definitive marker of ongoing viral replication (Source: Hepatology, 2020). From a therapeutic perspective, the minus-strand RNA represents a highly specific target for nucleic acid-based interventions, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). By binding to and promoting the degradation of this template, these agents can effectively halt the production of new viral genomes and proteins, offering a mechanism distinct from current protein-targeting direct-acting antivirals (Source: Nature Biotechnology, 2022). While current standard-of-care treatments primarily utilize small molecule inhibitors of viral proteins, targeting the RNA components remains a significant area of research for overcoming resistance and achieving viral clearance.

Other names

HCV negative-strand RNAHCV antigenomic RNAHepatitis C virus replication intermediate

Inhibition of viral replication through RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense-mediated degradation of the negative-strand RNA template, preventing the synthesis of progeny positive-strand genomic RNA.