Recombinant Hepatitis C Virus NS4 Mosaic

Source : The E.Coli derived 66kDa recombinant HCV NS4 Mosaic protein fused to a His tag is an artificial mosaic polypeptide composite constructed from diagnostically relevant antigenic regions derived from the NS4 region of different HCV genotypes.The protein contains region 5-1-1 and region 59 containing sequence 1789 - 1867 aa and sequence 2322 - 2423 aa of the HCV NS4 genotype lb and 10 other diagnostically relevant antigenic regions derived from the NS4 region of different HCV genotypes. HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae. HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes (1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6) .