Development of recombinant hepatitis C virus with NS5A from strains of genotypes 1 and 2

► The cell culture system with recombinant HCV replaced with NS5A was developed. ► Recombinant HCV with NS5A of genotype 2 strains showed efficient virus assembly. ► Mutations at the C-terminus of NS5A were responsible for the efficient virus assembly. ► Recombinant HCV with genotype 1 strains were susceptible to the NS5A inhibitor. ► Recombinant HCV with genotype 2 strains were resistant to the NS5A inhibitor.