Expression and purification of HCV core and core-E1E2 proteins in different bacterial strains

ABSTRACT

Background: hepatitis C virus [HCV] is a main public health problem causing chronic liver infection and subsequently liver cirrhosis and lethal hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. Vaccination based on HCV capsid proteins has attracted a special interest for prevention of viral infections. The core protein is a basic and evolutionary most conserved protein, which regulates the cellular processes related to viral replication and pathogenesis. The envelope E1 and E2 proteins involve in generation of the infectious particles, viral entry by binding to a host cell receptor, and modulation of the immune responses