HEPATITIS C DSRNA EFFECTOR MOLECULES, EXPRESSION CONSTRUCTS, COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS OF USE

The present invention provides agents, compositions, constructs and methods for silencing HCV polynucleotides, as well as methods and compositions for treating or preventing HCV infection in a mammalian cell. In one aspect, the present invention provides an agent or composition comprising at least one double-stranded RNA effector molecule or complex. The double-stranded RNA effector molecule or complex comprises: (1) a sequence of at least 19 nucleotides having at least 90% identity with a nucleotide sequence within HCV Conserved Region 1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), HCV Conserved Region 2 (SEQ ID NO: 3), HCV Conserved Region 5 (SEQ ID NO: 4), (ATR)-1 (SEQ ID NO: 86), ATR-2 (SEQ ID NO: 87), ATR-3 (SEQ ID NO: 88), ATR-4 (SEQ ID NO: 89); and (2) its complementary sequence. In another aspect, the present invention provides a construct suitable for replication in a host cell, and/or suitable for expression of an RNA molecule or complex of the invention in vitro or in vivo. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for silencing HCV RNA in a mammalian cell, which comprises administering to the mammalian cell an agent, composition, or construct of the invention in a manner and amount effective to silence HCV RNA in the cell. In a related aspect, the invention provides a method for treating or preventing HCV infection in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of an agent, composition, or construct of the invention as described herein.