FIG. 3.

Inhibition of NS3-induced apoptosis. (A) Neuro-2a cells were transfected with empty vector or plasmids expressing NS3 or Casp8-HA and inhibitors of apoptosis, baculovirus P35, and cowpox virus CrmA. The number of cells undergoing apoptosis was determined 72 h after transfection. Vector-transfected cells (a negative control for apoptosis) were set at 0%. (B) Neuro-2a cells transfected with empty vector or plasmid expressing NS3 were treated with peptide inhibitors of apoptosis: Z-IETD-FMK, Z-LEHD-FMK, and Z-VAD-FMK. The percentage of apoptotic cells was calculated 48 h after transfection relative to the vector-transfected cells, set at 0%.