Expression, identification and subcellular localization of the proteins encoded by the hepatitis C viral genome

Chiron Corporation, 4560 Horton Street, Emeryville, California 94608, U.S.A. We have expressed the full-length coding region and selected domains of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) cDNA in mammalian cells by transfection. Using HCV antibody-positive human sera and monospecific antibodies the proteins encoded by the putative structural and non-structural regions of the open reading frame of HCV were identified as core (p22), E1 (gp32–35), E2 (gp68–72), NS2 (p23), NS3 (p72), NS4a and b (p10 and p27) and NS5a and b (p56 and p70). We have also defined the subcellular localizations of the HCV proteins using indirect immunofluorescence assays. Received 28 October 1992; accepted 29 January 1993.