Bioinformatics Analysis of Domain 1 of HCV-Core Protein: Iran

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious global health problem and a cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bioinformatics software has been an effective tool to study the HCV genome as well as core domains. Our research was based on employing several bioinformatics software applications to find important mutations in domain 1 of core protein in Iranian HCV infected samples from 2006 to 2017, and an investigation of general properties, B-cell and T-cell epitopes, modification sites, and structure of domain 1. Domain 1 sequences of 188 HCV samples isolated from 2006 to 2017, Iran, were retrieved from NCBI gene bank. Using several tools, all sequences were analyzed for determination of mutations, physicochemical analysis, B-cell epitopes prediction, T-cell and CTL epitopes prediction, post modification, secondary and tertiary structure prediction. Our analysis determined several mutations in some special positions (70, 90, 91, and 110) that are associated with HCC and hepatocarcinogenesis, efficacy of triple therapy and sustained virological response, and interaction between core and CCR6. Several B-cell, T-cell, and CTL epitopes were recognized. Secondary and tertiary structures were mapped fordomain1 and core proteins. Our study, as a first report, offered inclusive data about frequent mutation in HCV-core gene domain 1 in Iranian sequences that can provide helpful analysis on structure and function of domain 1 of the core gene.

Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses Among College Students: A Report From Iran

“…HBV and HCV are associated with severe liver disease including chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. [1][2][3][4] Evidence has shown that liver disease caused by hepatitis viruses can be more aggressive and severe in HIV carriers. 5 Globally, more than 71 million people globally have chronic hepatitis C infection, who are at a risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, and causes 399,000 deaths every year.…”

Reciprocal Inhibition of Immunogenic Performance in Mice of Two Potent DNA Immunogens Targeting HCV-Related Liver Cancer

“…We have chosen peptides which we have shown to be well recognized in mice, but of different strain (C57Bl/6) [ 49 ]. Inclusion into the assessment of additional peptides (see, for example [ 50 ], IEDB Database) could have resulted in stronger correlations. Recombinant HCV core, which could have provided an opportunity to present all possible epitopes, was be used due to its immunosuppressive effect on the immune cells, also in in vitro tests [ 49 ].…”

Applying RT-PCR standard detection procedures of HBV and HCV in Wasit blood bank

“…Worldwide, the spread HBV and HCV increase at an alarming rate, this lead to a dramatic impact upon some countries such as Iraq. Also hepatitis B and C viruses are responsible for causing about 80% of liver cancer cases worldwide, and it could be the major cause of morbidity and mortality (Dehghani et al, 2019). In Iraq there is no protocol for blood banking, we followed Word Health Organization recommendations that all donates should be screened for these viruses (HBV, HCV, HIV, Syphilis), because these viruses have greater risk for percipients (WHO., 2017).…”