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Heparan sulphate is one of the candidate receptors for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Envelope glycoproteins of HCV have been proposed to be responsible for recognition and binding with cell receptors. They are characterized by great genetic polymorphism. In this study the mapping of regions with glycosaminoglycan-binding properties within HCV envelope proteins has been undertaken. We prepared a set of overlapping peptides corresponding to conserved regions of these envelope proteins and analysed them by solid phase heparin-binding assay. The search for established glycosaminoglycan-binding motifs in the HCV envelope proteins showed the absence of the sites corresponding to the glycosaminoglycan-binding patterns in consensus sequence. We identified one highly conserved and two less conserved heparin-binding sequences within the envelope protein E2 based on solid phase assay results. We did not find any differences in binding efficiency of these peptides with heparin, heparan sulphate or dextran sulphate. Our data supported the specific association between HCV envelope protein E2 and cell surface glycosaminoglycans. We hypothesize that identified regions from E2 can contribute to HCV binding to cell surface glycosaminoglycans.

Abstract. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on the nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of bovine oocytes and their further developmental competence to blastocysts in vitro. We analyzed the mitochondrial activity and concentration of intracellular stored calcium ([Ca 2+ ]is) in matured oocytes and the morphology and chromatin status of produced embryos after in vitro fertilization. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were incubated in TCM 199 containing 10% fetal calf serum (control medium 1: CM 1) or 10% estrus cow serum (control medium 2: CM 2). The culture medium of the treatment groups was modified by supplementation of the control medium with 10 ng/ml rbST (CM 1A and CM 2A), 10 6 /ml granulosa cells (CM 1B and CM 2B), or 10 ng/ml rbST plus 10 6 /ml granulosa cells (CM 1C and CM 2C). No differences were observed in the percentages of oocytes reaching metaphase II between the groups. However, the proportion of blastocysts was highest in treatment groups CM 1C and CM 2C (P<0.05). The type of serum did not alter the positive effect of rbST on the developmental competence of embryos. The fluorescence intensity of metabolically active mitochondria measured by intensity per oocyte (Em 570) after MitoTracker CMTM Ros Orange labeling was significantly increased in oocytes matured in the presence of 10 ng/ml rbST and granulosa cells (309.21 vs. 119.97 µA; P<0.01). In parallel, the concentration of [Ca 2+ ]is in oocytes, determined using fluorophore chlortetracycline, was significantly decreased (0.85 ± 0.02 vs. 0.97 ± 0.03 AU; P<0.05). Based on these results, we concluded that rbST, in interaction with granulosa cells stimulates the oxidative activity of ooplasmic mitochondria and decreases the content of [Ca 2+ ]is in oocytes. These facts support the hypothesis that somatotropin influences the developmental competence of bovine oocytes during maturation in vitro, and this effect can be modulated by granulosa cells.

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