Hcv e2 protein binding agents for treatment of hepatitis c virus infection

A method of identifying a compound which can inhibit the attachment of hepatitis C virus onto cells by inhibiting the binding of hepatitis C virus envelope E2 protein to a cellular protein associated with hepatitis C virus attachment onto cells and their entry into cells, comprising:

• a) incubating said compound, the hepatitis C virus envelope E2 protein or its variant and said cellular protein capable of specifically binding to said hepatitis C virus E2 protein under a suitable reaction conditions,
• b) determining the interactions between the hepatitis C virus envelope E2 protein or its variant and said cellular protein in the presence of said compound, and
• c) comparing the interactions in step (b) with the interaction between the hepatitis C virus envelope E2 protein or its variant and said cellular protein in the absence of said compound so as to identify a compound which can inhibit the attachment of hepatitis C virus onto cells.

A method for determining whether a compound can be used for treating or preventing hepatitis C virus infection in a subject, wherein said compound inhibits the binding of hepatitis C virus envelope E2 protein to a cellular protein associated with hepatitis C virus attachment onto cells and their entry into cells so as to block the attachment of hepatitis C virus onto cells, comprising:

• a) incubating said compound, the hepatitis C virus envelope E2 protein or its variant and said cellular protein capable of specifically binding to said hepatitis C virus E2 protein under a suitable reaction conditions,
• b) determining the interactions between the hepatitis C virus envelope E2 protein or its variant and said cellular protein in the presence of said compound, and
• c) comparing the interactions in step (b) with the interaction between the hepatitis C virus envelope E2 protein or its variant and said cellular protein in the absence of said compound so as to identify a compound which can inhibit the attachment of hepatitis C virus onto cells.