MEK5/ERK5/mef2: A novel signaling pathway affected by hepatitis C virus non-enveloped capsid-like particles

► HCVne particles as modulators of MAPK cellular signaling. ► HCVne particles can activate the MEK5-ERK5-mef2. ► Incubation with HCVne produced a perinuclear and in a few cases a nuclear distribution of ERK5. ► MEK5/ERK5/mef2 modulation is HCVne endocytosis-dependent.