A recent publication has demonstrated that short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) directed against HCV 5' nontranslated region (NTR) inhibits internal ribosome entry site (IRES) mediated translation.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Interferon alone or together with ribavirin is currently the only therapy for HCV infections.
Unfortunately, a number of HCV-infected individuals do not respond to this treatment resulting in an important need to develop new therapeutic options for treatment of chronic HCV infection.
In a research publication in the January 2007 issue of Journal of Virology entitled, 'Small Interfering RNA Targeted to Hepatitis C Virus 5' Nontranslated Region Exerts Potent Antiviral Effect', authors Tatsuo Kanda, Robert Steele, Ranjit Ray and Ratna B Ray demonstrate that short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) directed against HCV 5' nontranslated region (NTR) inhibits internal ribosome entry site (IRES) mediated translation.
They were also able to demonstrate that ShRNA inhibits replication of cell-culture grown HCV and replication of HCV genotype 1b.
In this publication, which is freely available online, Kanda et al utilise two Meridian Life Science (Biodesign brand) monoclonal antibodies in their studies.
A monoclonal antibody to HCV NS-5a Region (catalogue number C65388M) is used in a Western Blot protocol to determine the expression level of the NS-5a protein.
Catalogue number C8A018F, a FITC conjugated monoclonal antibody to HCV NS-4 Region was used for intracellular-immunofluorescence studies.
