Study of inhibition of interferon inducible genes by dephosphorylation of E2 envelope gene of HCV genotype 1a

Background: Interferon is considered as the first line of defense against all infections including HCV. Unfortunately 50% of the patients do not respond to the existing treatment. Envelope protein 2 of HCV interacts with the interferon-inducible protein kinase (PKR) protein. This protein contains a sequence identical with phosphorylation sites of the PKR and the translation initiation factor eIF2alpha, a target of PKR. Inhibition of the kinase activity of PKR by this interaction is postulated as a mechanism for the resistance to interferon (IFN) therapy.