TBC1 Domain Family, Member 22B (TBC1D22B)

TBC1D22B, Contains 1 Rab-GAP TBC domain. May act as a GTPase-activating protein for Rab family protein. A Rab-GAP TBC domain protein binds hepatitis C virus NS5A and mediates viral replication. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of liver disease worldwide. Current therapies are inadequate for most patients. A novel cellular binding partner interacting with the N terminus of HCV nonstructural protein NS5A. This partner contains a TBC Rab-GAP (GTPase-activating protein) homology domain found in all known Rab-activating proteins. As the first described interaction between such a Rab-GAP and a viral protein, this finding suggests a new mechanism whereby viruses may subvert host cell machinery for mediating the endocytosis, trafficking, and sorting of their own proteins.