FIG. 2.

In vitro expression of the HCV NS3-BVDV core fusion proteins using an in vitro transcription and translation system. The proteins were labeled with [³⁵S]methionine. Lane 1, production of the fusion protein with a catalytically inactive HCV NS3 protease from plasmid pNS3mt-C; lane 2, expression of the fusion protein with the wild-type HCV NS3 protease from plasmid pNS3-C plasmid. The protein products were separated by SDS-PAGE on a 10 to 20% gradient gel and visualized by autoradiography. The fusion protein with the active HCV NS3 protease self-cleaved at the NS5A-NS5B junction between HCV NS3 and BVDV core protein. Lane 3, ¹⁴C-labeled molecular mass markers (kilodaltons).