Effect of Rab2, 5 or 7 silencing on HCV genome replication. A. Replicon cells were transfected with siCONTROL, Rab2, 5 or 7 siRNA. At 48 h posttransfection, total cellular RNAs were isolated and used to determine the level of HCV RNA by quantitative real-time PCR. Results were normalized to GAPDH. Notice that silencing of Rab2, 5 or 7 results in 50-60% decrease in HCV RNA synthesis. B. Immunoblot analyses were performed using antibodies specific to Rab2, 5A or 7 protein. Notice that each siRNA resulted in a significant decrease of the cognate Rab protein. C. Immunoblot analyses were performed using antibodies specific to Rab2, 5A, 7 or GAPDH. Notice that silencing of Rab2 did not affect the expression of the other Rabs. Conversely, silencing of Rab5A or 7 did not affect the expression of Rab2.