AnaSpec Expands HCV NS3/4A Protease Selection

AnaSpec announces the expansion of its NS3/4A protease selection to include proteases from genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a and 4d. These recombinant HCV NS3/4A proteases are highly active and can be used with the SensoLyte® 490, 520, or 620 HCV Protease Assay Kits for screening of anti-HCV protease drugs. HCV NS3 protease is responsible for the cleavage at the NS3/NS4A, NS4A/NS4B, NS4B/NS5A, and NS5A/NS5B sites of the nonstructural protein. It is essential for viral replication and the formation of infectious viral particles, and thus has been considered as one of the most attractive targets for anti-HCV therapy.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) belongs to the Flaviviridae family of positive, single stranded RNA. Approximately 170 million people worldwide are infected with this virus and infection results in liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Seven major HCV genotypes have been identified which differ in >30 nucleotide sites. Genotypes 1, 2 and 3 are found predominantly in the US, Europe, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and China; Genotype 4 in the Middle East, Egypt and Central Africa; Genotype 5 in South Africa and Genotype 6 in Southeast Asia.

AnaSpec also provides HCV NS3/4A mutant proteases. These mutants provide researchers with additional tools to assess the implications and explore a response to the emergence of protease inhibitor resistant NS3 proteases.