Hepatitis C virus p7 ion channel (p7) (p7)

The Hepatitis C virus p7 ion channel is a small, 63-amino acid hydrophobic protein that functions as a viroporin, essential for the production of infectious viral particles (UniProt: P26664). It oligomerizes into hexameric or heptameric complexes that form cation-selective channels within host cell membranes, particularly the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus (PubMed: 23396147). While p7 is not required for viral genome replication, it plays a pivotal role in the late stages of the viral life cycle, including the assembly and maturation of virions (PubMed: 23408621). By acting as a proton channel, it helps to neutralize acidic compartments, thereby protecting the pH-sensitive viral glycoproteins from premature conformational changes or degradation (PubMed: 20862355). This protein is considered a viable therapeutic target, and several classes of inhibitors, such as amantadine and BIT225, have been identified to block its ion channel activity (PubMed: 20444935). However, the high genetic variability among HCV genotypes presents a significant challenge for the development of universal p7 inhibitors (PubMed: 24218191). Additionally, the potential for rapid emergence of resistance mutations necessitates the use of p7 inhibitors in combination with other direct-acting antivirals (PubMed: 24218191).

Other names

p7 proteinHCV p7p7 viroporinNon-structural protein 7

Inhibition of the p7 viroporin ion channel activity, which prevents the equilibration of pH in intracellular compartments and disrupts the assembly and release of infectious HCV progeny (PubMed: 20444935).