Hammerhead Rbzs are highly effective at cleaving the [−] RNA of HCV replicon constructs. (A) Schematic depiction of the HCV gt2a replicons used in this experiment. (B) Replication of constructs carrying either an active (wt) or inactive (ko) sTRSV or N79 hammerhead Rbz in their [−] RNA. Included are replication-competent and replication-defective controls lacking the inserted Rbz sequence. Significant differences between sTRSV(ko) and (wt) constructs, and between N79(ko) and (wt) constructs, are highlighted ([*] P < 0.05; paired t-test; n = 3). (C) Northern blot of RNA from cells transfected with replicon constructs 48 h earlier. The arrow highlights the position of full length transcripts and the arrowheads the position of products produced as a result of Rbz activity. Other bands on the gel (*) coinicident with the position of ribosomal RNAs, represent background artifacts.
