Hepatitis C virus non-structural NS3/4A fusion gene
The creation of mutant hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A genes encoding proteins with altered protease activity is disclosed. Embodiments include these NS3/4A genes, HCV peptides encoded by these nucleic acids, nucleic acids encoding these HCV peptides, antibodies directed to these peptides, compositions containing these nucleic acids and peptides, as well as methods of making and using these compositions including, but not limited to, diagnostics and medicaments for the treatment and prevention of HCV infection.
1. A purified or isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide comprising an NS3/NS4A polypeptide with enhanced protease activity, wherein said NS3/4A polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 45, SEQ ID NO: 50, SEQ ID NO: 52, SEQ ID NO: 53, SEQ ID NO: 69, SEQ ID NO: 91, SEQ ID NO: 97, SEQ ID NO: 98, SEQ ID NO: 103, SEQ ID NO: 112, SEQ ID NO: 115, SEQ ID NO: 125, SEQ ID NO: 150, SEQ ID NO: 161, SEQ ID NO: 173, SEQ ID NO: 175, SEQ ID NO: 180, SEQ ID NO: 197, SEQ ID NO: 200, SEQ ID NO: 205, and SEQ ID NO: 216.
2. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 45.
3. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 50.
4. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 52.
5. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 53.
6. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 69.
7. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 91.
8. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 97.
9. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 98.
10. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 103.
11. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 112.
12. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 115.
13. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 125.
14. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 150.
15. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 161.
16. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 173.
17. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 175.
18. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 180.
19. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 197.
20. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 200.
21. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 205.
22. The purified or isolated nucleic acid of claim 1 , wherein said NS3/NS4A polypeptide is SEQ ID NO: 216.