Patent ID: 7465537
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: A61K,C07K,C12N,C12Q,G16B

Abstract:
1. A method of inhibiting hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in cells infected with HCV comprising: contacting the cells with an agent that inhibits NS3 enzyme activity by inhibiting NS3 oligomerization; wherein the agent reduces replication of viral nucleic acid in the cells or spread of virus to other cells; wherein the agent is a vector expressing a dominant-negative mutant NS3 gene that expresses an ATPase-deficient NS3 protein that is 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:3 and the step of contacting the agent comprises transforming the cells with the vector; wherein the ATPase-deficient NS3 protein comprises a D290A mutation; and wherein the cells are in vitro.