@article{mbs:/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-82-6-1291, author = "Lanford, Robert E. and Lee, Helen and Chavez, Deborah and Guerra, Bernadette and Brasky, Kathleen M.", title = "Infectious cDNA clone of the hepatitis C virus genotype 1 prototype sequence", journal= "Journal of General Virology", year = "2001", volume = "82", number = "6", pages = "1291-1297", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/0022-1317-82-6-1291", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/0022-1317-82-6-1291", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2099", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "A full-length cDNA clone of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 prototype (subtype 1a) sequence was constructed. Synthetic RNA produced from the initial cDNA clone was not infectious following intrahepatic inoculation of a chimpanzee. A consensus clone was prepared by comparison with multiple full-length HCV sequences of genotypes 1, 2 and 3. A total of 11 non-consensus amino acid residues were altered by mutagenesis. Synthetic RNA from the repaired clone initiated a typical, acute-resolving HCV infection following intrahepatic inoculation of a chimpanzee. In addition, at least one of three chimeric cDNA clones constructed between the HCV-1 and H77 genotype 1a strains of HCV was infectious in a chimpanzee. This is the first example of an infectious chimeric HCV clone. An infectious cDNA clone of HCV-1 will be of particular value, since it is the prototype HCV sequence and many commonly used reagents are based on this sequence.", }