Hepatitis C Virus NS5B Protein (NS5B)

NS5B is a nonstructural protein of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that functions as an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). It is essential for viral replication, catalyzing the synthesis of new viral RNA genomes by using the positive-sense viral RNA as a template. NS5B is considered a prime target for antiviral drug development due to its critical role in HCV replication and significant structural differences from host cellular polymerases.

Other names

HCV NS5BNonstructural protein 5BRNA-dependent RNA polymerase

Inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity, either through nucleotide analogue incorporation and chain termination, or allosteric disruption of enzyme function.