Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. The virus is classified into six major genotypes, each with several subtypes. Among these, Genotype 2c is one of the less common but clinically important variants. The nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) of HCV plays a crucial role in the virus’s life cycle and is a target for antiviral therapies.
The NS3 protein is a multifunctional enzyme with protease, helicase, and nucleoside triphosphatase activities. It is essential for the processing of the HCV polyprotein and the replication of the viral RNA. The NS3 protein, along with its cofactor NS4A, cleaves the viral polyprotein at specific sites to produce mature viral proteins necessary for the assembly of new virions .
Genotype 2c is one of the subtypes of HCV Genotype 2. It is less prevalent compared to Genotype 1 but is known for its better response to interferon-based therapies. The NS3 protein of Genotype 2c, particularly the region spanning amino acids 1356 to 1459, has been studied for its unique structural and functional properties .
Recombinant NS3 proteins are produced using various expression systems, such as bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cells. These recombinant proteins are used in research to study the enzyme’s structure, function, and interactions with antiviral drugs. The recombinant NS3 protein of HCV Genotype-2c (1356-1459 a.a.) is particularly valuable for developing and testing new therapeutic agents .