Key part of hepatitis C virus pictured in great detail: Reports

WASHINGTON: Scientists have determined the most detailed picture yet of a crucial part of the hepatitis C virus, which the virus uses to infect liver cells.

The findings can bring an effective hepatitis C vaccine closer to reality.

Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) focused on a protein known as E2 envelope glycoprotein.

Any successful hepatitis C vaccine is likely to target the E2 protein. Scientists already have isolated rare antibodies from patients that can bind E2 in ways that neutralise a broad range of viral strains.

"Now that we can visualise the structural details of these binding sites, we can design vaccine molecules that mimic them," said co-senior author of the new research TSRI Assistant Professor Mansun Law.

Like HIV and some other viruses, hepatitis C virus (HCV) uses effective count.