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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Jan 15.
Published in final edited form as: Exp Cell Res. 2015 Oct 26;340(2):187–192. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2015.10.021

Figure 2. Interaction of HCV and LDs.

Figure 2

The replication of HCV RNA and viral particle production requires lipid droplets (LDs). Newly synthesized or uncoated viral genomic RNA is translated to a viral polyprotein followed by a cleaving polyprotein. Mature non-structural proteins form a complex with host factors. The positive strand of genomic RNA is enclosed with the core proteins, associated with non-structural proteins. The viral core protein is translocated to the LDs. It has been proposed that envelope proteins, e.g. NS2 and p7, determine the recruitment of viral protein from the LDs to the ER membrane. VLDL binds to viral particles before or after budding. The viral core protein increases the synthesis and storage of triglycerides and cholesterol esters in the LDs through interactions with host factors.