Hepatitis C virus and its roles in cell proliferation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes chronic hepatitis and is linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The role of HCV infection in the development of HCC remains to be clarified. We analyzed the effect of HCV core protein on modulation of cell proliferation. HCV core protein was shown to have at least two functions: activation of the Ras/Raf signaling pathway and anti-apototic function.