HCV Core 16.8kDa

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. The virus contains a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome that encodes a single polyprotein, which is further processed to generate multiple polypeptides, including structural and nonstructural proteins . Among these, the nucleocapsid (core) protein plays a crucial role in the virus’s life cycle and pathogenesis.

The nucleocapsid (core) protein is the first protein to be translated from the HCV genome. It is a component of the nucleocapsid structure and has properties that promote binding to the host-derived lipid membrane and HCV RNA . The mature core protein, along with the envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2), comprises the three structural HCV proteins . The core protein is essential for the assembly of the viral particle and plays a role in the regulation of viral replication and interaction with host cell machinery.

The recombinant Hepatitis C Virus nucleocapsid (core) protein, specifically the 16.8kDa variant, is a product expressed in Escherichia coli. This recombinant protein is often used in research and diagnostic applications due to its high purity and suitability for various assays such as ELISA and Western Blot (WB) . The recombinant core protein is typically expressed without any tags, ensuring its native structure and function are preserved for experimental purposes .

The recombinant core protein is widely used in the study of HCV biology and the development of diagnostic tools. It serves as a critical reagent in the development of HCV vaccines and therapeutic strategies. Researchers utilize this protein to understand the mechanisms of HCV infection, immune response, and the development of antiviral drugs. Additionally, it is employed in the evaluation of immune responses in vaccinated individuals and in the screening of potential vaccine candidates .