Effect of molecular change of D68 variants (D168G and D168V) on asunaprevir response in hepatitis C virus 1b infection

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important hepatitis virus that can cause chronic liver problem including to hepatoma. The antiviral drug management for HCV infection is presently recommended, however, the important problem is the emerging drug resistance. Regarding the new protease inhibitor, asunaprevir, the resistance is already observed. The genetic variant of HCV is mentioned for its interrelationship with asunaprevir resistance. Here, the authors analyze the effect of molecular change of D68 variants (D168G and D168V). The different degree of asunaprevir due to the single amino acid substitution in the studied variants is observable.