DRUG FOR TREATING OR PREVENTING HCV INFECTION

摘要

By discussing the HCV replicon inhibitory activities of compounds originating in microorganisms such as one belonging to the genus Aureobasidium, myriocin, fumonisin B1 and a ceramide transportation inhibitor HPA-12, it is observed that these compounds have effects of inhibiting the replication of HCV replicon RNA or inhibiting the expression of the HCV protein. By performing a knockdown experiment on serine palmitoyl transferase with the use of siRNA, it is found out that the HCV replicon activity and the expression of the HCV protein are significantly inhibited in cells wherein the expression of LCB1 is regulated, suggesting that sphingo lipid biosynthesis might participate in HCV infection. Based on these facts, it is clarified that HCV infection can be treated or prevented by inhibiting an enzyme activity occurring in the process of sphingo lipid biosynthesis by the addition of a compound or the knockdown of a gene.