Figure 1.

Schematic representation of the viral life cycle and viral proteins. HCV is closely associated with very light density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles. Entry of this lipoviroparticle needs at least four essential entry factors, Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I, CD81, Claudin, and Occludin. Receptor binding is followed by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Viral RNA is released into the cytosol and serves as a template for the production of the viral proteins (see inset) and for the negative strand, which will serve to produce new viral genomic RNA (in close proximity with ER-derived membranes). Assembly starts with core and NS5A recruitment to lipid droplets (LD), followed by particle formation. The virion interacts with VLDL particles. Lipoviroparticles undergo maturation during the transport through the Golgi apparatus and become more lipidated.