Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Hepacivirus genus within the Flaviviridae family . The virus’s genome encodes a single polyprotein, which is processed into structural and non-structural proteins essential for the virus’s life cycle .
The HCV core protein is one of the structural proteins encoded by the HCV genome. It plays a crucial role in the formation of the viral nucleocapsid, which is essential for the virus’s replication and assembly . The core protein is also involved in various host-cell interactions and has been implicated in the modulation of cellular processes such as apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and immune response .
Recombinant HCV Core 24 refers to a specific segment of the HCV core protein that has been produced using recombinant DNA technology. This technology involves inserting the gene encoding the HCV core protein into an expression system, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce the protein in large quantities. The recombinant protein can then be purified and used for various research and diagnostic purposes .