STRUCTURAL TARGETS IN HEPATITIS C VIRUS IRES ELEMENT

摘要

Molecular structures, computer representations thereof, and methods of analysis are provided for the hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site (HCV IRES). Novel features of the structure include the tetraloop fold in domain IIIe, including the array of three major groove exposed Watson-Crick faces (G295, A296, and U297), which loop has been found to be a point of direct contact with the 40S subunit; and the structure comprising the domain IIId loop E and hairpin loop backdone reversion, which places two S turns on the same side of hairpin loop structure.