Fig. 2.

Fragments 1–36 and 37–191 a.a. of the HCV core protein activate the Nrf2/ARE cascade by triggering the translocation of transcription factor Nrf2 from the cytoplasm into the nucleus (A) with subsequent induction of human NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) (B, C). Intracellular localization of factor Nrf2 was determined by separation of cytoplasmic (Cyt) and nuclear (Nu) protein fractions, with subsequent detection of Nrf2 by immunoblotting. Quantification of the Nqo1 and HO-1 expression levels was performed by reverse transcription and real-time PCR (B) and immunoblotting (C). *p < 0.01 and **p < 0.05 compared to pVax1.