University of Texas System

Jin Ye

Michael J Gale

Joseph L Goldstein

Michael S Brown

Hua Huang

Chunfu Wang

Fang Sun

Michael Gale, Jr

Rhea Sumpter, Jr

Methods and compositions are provided to inhibit release of HCV from an HCV-infected cell by contacting the cell with a VLDL assembly inhibitor, and detecting a resultant inhibition of HCV release from the cell. The methods can be used to decrease serum viremia of an HCV-infected person.

Treating hepatitis C virus infection

Methods and compositions are provided to inhibit release of HCV from an HCV-infected cell by contacting the cell with a VLDL assembly inhibitor, and detecting a resultant inhibition of HVC release from the cell. The methods can be used to decrease serum viremia of an HCV-infected person.

Permissiveness of human cells to replication of susceptible pathogenic human viruses is reduced by treating the cells with a selective inhibitor of prenylation of a host cell protein. Target viruses, especially Flaviviridae, are predetermined to lack a CXXX box and prenylated viral protein, and to be replication-dependent on host protein prenylation. The general method comprises (a) contacting human cells subject to infection by the virus with an effective amount of a selective inhibitor of a prenylation enzyme of the cells; and (b) confirming a resultant reduction in permissiveness of the cells to replication of the virus. Targeted enzymes include prenyl biosynthetic enzyme like HMG CoA reductase farnesyl and/or geranylgeranyl transferase enzymes.

Prenylation inhibitors reduce host cell permissiveness to viral replication

Agents that modulate an interaction of an FBL2 protein with an NS5A or NS5B Flaviviridae protein in a mixture are identified by contacting the mixture with a candidate agent under conditions wherein but for the presence of the agent, the FBL2 protein and the Flaviviridae protein engage in a reference interaction; and detecting an agent-biased interaction. Flaviviridae replication is inhibited by contacting a Flaviviridae-infected cell with an FBL2-specific reagent; and detecting a resultant Flaviviridae replication inhibition.

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Jin Ye