Patent ID: 6280940
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: C07K,C12N,C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
A reporter gene system useful to assess compounds which augment or inhibit the activity of Hepatitis C virus NS3 protease, comprising:a) a recombinant viral vector comprising a DNA molecule which encodes an RNA polymerase compatible with said viral vector; andb) a recombinant plasmid comprising a DNA molecule comprising a Hepatitis C virus/secreted alkaline phosphatase (HCV/SEAP) gene construct operably linked to a promoter, said promoter being compatible with said RNA polymerase, wherein upon co-transfection into a host cell with said recombinant viral vector, said Hepatitis C virus/SEAP gene construct is under the transcriptional control of said promoter, and wherein said RNA polymerase is acting in trans;and wherein a presence of SEAP activity is indicative of Hepatitis C virus NS3 protease activity.