Hepatitis C Virus Is Released via a Noncanonical Secretory Route

Abstract

The goal of this study was to shed light on the poorly understood trafficking and release routes of hepatitis C virus (HCV). For this, we generated novel HCV genomes which resulted in the production of fluorescently labeled viral particles. We used live-cell microscopy and other imaging techniques to follow up on the temporal dynamics of virus particle formation and trafficking in HCV-expressing liver cells. While viral particles and viral structural protein were found in endosomal compartments, no overlap of Golgi structures could be observed. Furthermore, biochemical and inhibitor-based experiments support a HCV release route which is distinguishable from canonical Golgi-mediated secretion. Since viruses hijack cellular pathways to generate viral progeny, our results point toward the possible existence of a not-yet-described cellular secretion route.