NS5ATP9, a gene up-regulated by HCV NS5A protein

Non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) appears to interact with a variety of cellular proteins and play an important role in mediating cell growth, cellular signaling pathways and pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV). NS5ATP9 was identified as a NS5A trans-activated protein in suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), and the regulation was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). A minimal promoter region contained within the 211 bp (nucleotides −161 to +50 bp) immediately upstream of the transcription initiation site. NS5ATP9 is a NS5A up-regulation gene which may play a role in the pathogenesis of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.