The Inhibitory Effects of Anacardic Acid on Hepatitis C Virus Life Cycle |
| |
| Authors: | Jana Hundt Zhubing Li Qiang Liu |
| |
| Institution: | 1VIDO-InterVac, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada;2VIDO-InterVac, Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics Program, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada;3VIDO-InterVac, Vaccinology and Immunotherapeutics Program, Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada;Harvard Medical School, UNITED STATES |
| |
| Abstract: | Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that causes severe liver diseases. Current anti-HCV therapies involving direct-acting antivirals have significantly enhanced efficacy in comparison to traditional interferon and ribavirin combination. However, further improvement is needed to eradicate HCV. Anacardic acid (AnA) is a phytochemical compound that can inhibit the activity of various cellular enzymes including histone acetyltransferases (HATs). In this study, we investigated the effects of AnA on different phases of HCV life cycle. Our data showed that AnA can inhibit HCV entry, replication, translation, and virion secretion in a dose-dependent manner with no measurable effects on cell viability. In addition, we showed that two HAT inhibitors and knocking down HAT (PCAF) by RNAi can reduce HCV replication, suggesting a mechanism of AnA’s inhibitory effects on HCV. Elucidation of the AnA-mediated inhibitory mechanism should facilitate the development of new drug candidates for HCV infection. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
