Regulating the Expression of Heat Shock Proteins by Hepatitis C Virus

• Grant number: 13/17253-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Paula Rahal
• Grantee: Ana Cláudia Silva Braga
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), and it is estimated that about 170 million people are infected worldwide. HCV interacts with multiple cellular proteins in order to promote viral replication. Studies have shown that, besides exhibit an altered expression profile in the presence of the virus, certain heat shock proteins (Hsp) they also may interact with HCV proteins and the increase or decrease in the expression of Hsp may be an alternative effective in reducing viral replication. This makes the heat shock proteins an important target for anti-HCV studies. Thus the present study aims to evaluate in vitro the expression of heat shock proteins in the presence and absence of HCV and retake the Hsp expression of Hsp with abnormal profile (up and down expression) in order to inhibit viral replication. The Hsp with best result um viral inhibition will be evaluated for possible physical interactions with key viral proteins involved in HCV replication.