Table 1.
Functions of hepatitis C virus structural and non-structural proteins
| Protein | Function | Association with Lipid Metabolism |
| Structural proteins | ||
| E1 | Surface envelope protein of LVP | Enriched around lipid droplet |
| E2 | Surface envelope protein of LVP, binds CD81 for viral fusion and cell entry | Interacts with ApoE and SRB1 facilitating lipid transfers around LD |
| Core | Important for cell surface binding, replication and assembly | Increases expression of SREBP, FASN. Colocalizes with apoB |
| Non-structural proteins | ||
| P7 | Creates transmembrane ion channel in membranous web, (viroporin) | Assists in recruitment of core protein to LD by DGAT1 |
| NS2 | Cysteine protease | Increases expression of FASN, SREBP |
| NS3 | Serine protease, RNA helicase, promotes viral protein processing with NS4A | Unknown |
| NS4A | Protease; cofactor for NS3 | Unknown |
| NS4B | Directs membrane rearrangements for formation of membranous web | Activates fatty acid synthase, associates with DGAT1 and P14KA, facilitating creation of membranous web |
| NS5A | Phosphoprotein, required for replication, forms bridge to assembly | Activates FASN; associates with P14KA, DGAT1 |
| NS5B | RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, for replication of viral genome | Direct interaction with fatty acid synthase gene |