FIG 8.

SL750 is critical for HCV FLG packaging. Huh7.5.1 cells were transfected with in vitro-transcribed wild-type JFH1, mutant JFH-1 containing unzipping and rezipping mutations in SL750R, wild-type Jc1, or mutant Jc1 containing unzipping and rezipping mutations in SL750. (A to C and E to G) Intracellular HCV RNA levels (A and E), viral protein levels (B and F), and extracellular infectivity titers (C and G) on days 1, 2, and 3 posttransfection were determined by RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and a titration assay, respectively. NS3 protein levels were quantified by using ImageJ and normalized against the internal actin control and are presented below the blot. The error bars represent standard deviations from three independent experiments. NS, nonsignificant (P > 0.05); *, P < 0.05. (D) Schematic of wild-type and unzipping and rezipping mutations on the left and right arms of SL750 in the Jc1 strain. Unzipping and rezipping mutations are marked by * and #, respectively.