Identification of sequences within the HCV polyprotein that bind nuclear transport factors.

<p>(A) HCV genotype 1 peptide arrays consisting of 15 residue peptides (with 8 residue overlaps) spanning the complete HCV polypeptide were incubated with Huh7.5 cells lysates. Bound NTFs were detected using antibodies specific for the indicated NTF. Control peptide arrays were incubated with only NTF-specific antibodies. The different colored regions of the array represent peptides derived from different HCV proteins (see schematic). The last four peptides on the array are additional sequences which some of the HCV strains have in their polyproteins at the C terminus. The peptide sequences that bound to NTFs are summarized in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0114629#pone-0114629-t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>. (B) The same lysate used to probe the peptide arrays was also analyzed by western blotting to detect the indicated NTFs and assess the specificities of the antibodies. (C) Schematic summary of the localization of the NTF binding sites on the indicated HCV proteins.