NS5A

Structure

NS5A is derived from a large polyprotein that is translated from the HCV genome, and undergoes post-translation processing by nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) viral protease. Despite no inherent enzymatic activity being attributed to NS5A, its function is mediated through interaction with other nonstructural (NS) viral and cellular proteins. NS5A has two phosphorylated forms: p56 and p58, which differ in the electrophoretic mobility. p56 is basally phosphorylated by host cellular protein kinase at the center and near the C terminus, whereas p58 is a form of hyper-phosphorylated NS5A at the center of the serine-rich region. Protein mass spectrometry identified several phosphorylated serine residues in this region including serine 225, 229, 232, and 235 responsible for NS5A hyper-phosphorylation. An array of phosphorylation-specific antibodies confirmed their phosphorylation in infected cells. It has been predicted that the N-terminal 30 aa of NS5A form an amphipathic α-helix with a highly preserved feature, which is essential to modulate the association between NS5A and ER membrane. The IFN-sensitivity determining region (ISDR) at the C-terminal of NS5A has been reported to perform strong trans-activating activities, suggesting that NS5A likely functions as a transcriptional activator.