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Human Ezrin-Moesin-Radixin Proteins Modulate Hepatitis C Virus Infection, Terence Bukong, Karen Kodys, Gyongyi Szabo
Human Ezrin-Moesin-Radixin Proteins Modulate Hepatitis C Virus Infection, Terence Bukong, Karen Kodys, Gyongyi Szabo
Gyongyi Szabo
Host cytoskeletal proteins of the ezrin-moesin-radixin (EMR) family have been shown to modulate single-stranded RNA virus infection through regulating stable microtubule formation. Antibody engagement of CD81, a key receptor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry, induces ezrin phosphorylation. Here we tested the role of EMR proteins in regulating HCV infection and explored potential therapeutic targets. We show that HCV E2 protein induces rapid ezrin phosphorylation and its cellular redistribution with F-actin by way of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK). Therapeutically blocking the functional roles of SYK or F-actin reorganization significantly reduced Huh7.5 cell susceptibility to HCV J6/JFH-1 infection. Using gene regulation, …