NS4A-NS3 CATALYTIC DOMAIN OF HEPATITIS C

摘要

The subject invention concerns modified domains of the polyprotein of the hepatitis C virus. The polypeptides of the invention are directed to modified forms of the NS3 and NS4A domains of the polyprotein. In one embodiment, the NS4A fragment is covalently attached to the NS3 catalytic domain. The NS4A fragment is attached to the N-terminal end of NS3. The subject invention also concerns polynucleotides that encode the NS3/NS4A polypeptides. The invention also pertains to methods of preparing the subject polypeptides and methods for screening for compounds that inhibit the serine protease activity of the NS3 protein.