Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. It is a bloodborne virus that primarily infects the liver, leading to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV is classified into seven major genotypes, with genotype 1 being the most prevalent globally. Within genotype 1, there are subtypes 1a and 1b, which are of particular interest due to their varying responses to antiviral treatments.
The HCV core protein is a structural component of the virus, playing a crucial role in the formation of the viral nucleocapsid. It is encoded by the 5’ end of the HCV genome and is highly conserved among different HCV genotypes. The core protein is involved in various functions, including viral RNA packaging, interaction with host cell proteins, and modulation of host immune responses .
Genotype-1a is one of the most common subtypes of HCV, particularly in North America and Europe. It is known for its relatively high resistance to certain antiviral therapies compared to other genotypes. This resistance has driven extensive research into understanding the genetic and structural characteristics of genotype-1a, leading to the development of more effective treatment regimens .
Recombinant HCV core genotype-1a refers to the artificially engineered version of the core protein, which is used in various research and clinical applications. Recombinant proteins are produced through genetic engineering techniques, where the gene encoding the HCV core protein is inserted into an expression system, such as bacteria or mammalian cells, to produce large quantities of the protein.