Human immunodeficiency virus-1 Rev protein activates hepatitis C virus gene expression by directly targeting the HCV 5′-untranslated region

► HIV-1 Rev protein activates HCV gene expression. ► HIV-1 Rev directly interacts with the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of HCV RNA. ► Rev protein specifically binds to the internal loop (IIIb) of HCV 5′-UTR. ► Rev stimulates translation under the control of HCV 5′-UTR. ► HIV-1 Rev directly binds to HCV 5′-UTR to activate HCV gene expression.