Hepatitis C virus replication complex (HCV replication complex) (HCV replication complex)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) intracellular replication is the multi-step process by which the virus produces new genomic RNA and viral proteins within a host hepatocyte (Source: NIH, StatPearls). This process is mediated by a membrane-associated replication complex composed of non-structural proteins, including the NS3/4A protease, the NS5A phosphoprotein, and the NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Source: PubMed, PMID: 25100577). These proteins are essential for processing the viral polyprotein and synthesizing new RNA strands. Targeting these specific components with Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C, leading to high cure rates (Source: WHO). Drugs like sofosbuvir (NS5B inhibitor) and velpatasvir (NS5A inhibitor) disrupt this replication cycle, effectively clearing the infection from the host (Source: PubChem). Successful inhibition of this replication cycle is monitored via the disappearance of HCV RNA from the blood, known as a sustained virologic response (Source: CDC).

Other names

HCV replicationHepatitis C virus lifecycleHCV polyprotein processingHCV RNA synthesis

Inhibition of viral non-structural proteins (NS3/4A, NS5A, NS5B) to prevent viral RNA synthesis and polyprotein processing.