Screening for Inhibitors of HCV Amphipathic Helix (AH) Function

Abstract

Screening methods are provided for identifying pharmacologic inhibitors of HCV amphipathic helix (AH) function, which inhibitors are useful in the prevention and treatment of HCV infection. Also provided are compounds useful in the inhibition of viral replication. The methods of the invention are based on the unexpected discovery that the presence of an AH, e.g. an AH of an HCV polypeptide, causes an increase in the apparent diameter of the vesicles. The methods of the invention provide for addition of AH peptides to lipid vesicles, for example in a high-throughput format; which addition may be performed in the absence or presence of a candidate pharmacologic agent. The change in apparent vesicle size is measured, and compared to control samples. An increase in vesicle size or aggregation is indicative of AH function being present; and a lack of increase is indicative that the AH function is absent or has been inhibited by a test agent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.