Abstract: The present invention relates to a flavonoid compound having the formula I, where R3, R5 and/or R7 is a group having the formula II, or R1 and R2 are both OH groups, or to one of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, for use as an antiviral agent in the treatment and/or prevention of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The invention also relates to an ex vivo method for reducing the infectivity of HCV or for inactivating HCV, including a step of contacting said hepatitis C virus with a compound having the formula (I).

Abstract: A process for screening anti-HCV agents, including the steps of introducing a compound to be tested for its anti-HCV properties with transformed Vero/6418 cells, having a nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of a nucleic acid coding for the structural and non-structural proteins of the HCV, a nucleic acid coding for the non-structural proteins of the HCV, and a replicon containing a resistance gene to an antibiotic and a nucleotide sequence coding for the non-structural proteins of the HCV; extracting total RNA of the cells; and analyzing any reduction of the rate, of synthesis of the RNA of the HCV of the cells relative to a control value corresponding to the rates of synthesis of the RNAs of the HCV of the cells in the absence of the tested compound.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of cells capable of carrying out a process of prenylation of proteins coded by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, such as prenylation of the NS5A protein, for replicating and, if required, the production of HCV or derivative viable mutants, in a suitable culture medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of cells capable of carrying out a process of prenylation of proteins coded by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, such as prenylation of the NS5A protein, for replicating and, if required, the production of HCV or derivative viable mutants, in a suitable culture medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of cells capable of carrying out a process of prenylation of proteins coded by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, such as prenylation of the NS5A protein, for replicating and, if required, the production of HCV or derivative viable mutants, in a suitable culture medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of cells capable or carrying out a process of prenylation of proteins coded by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, such as prenylation of the NS5A protein, for replicating and, if required, the production of HCV or derivative viable mutants, in a suitable culture medium.

Abstract: A method is described whereby new cDNA or RNA sequences can be introduced into or substituted for cDNA in any chosen position without specific sequence requirements using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method entails the use of primers which are complementary to the 3' and 5' ends of the desired sequence to be inserted as well as to the 3' and 5' ends of the chosen site of insertion in the acceptor molecule. The desired sequence is amplified by PCR such that single stranded fragments are produced. The single stranded fragment of the desired sequence is then annealed to a single stranded acceptor molecule at the site of insertion and extended to produce a double stranded molecule. The double stranded molecule is then separated into two strands which are identical except that one of the strands contains the desired sequence inserted at the chosen site. A second double stranded molecule is then generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active principle of a vaccine, in which the characteristic epitope is incorporated in the capsid of a picornavirus, in particular of poliovirus, used as a vector. This active principle consists of a viable hybrid picornavirus containing an epitope characteristic of a vaccinating protein, and heterologous with respect to the proteins of this picornavirus, in place of one of its own immunogenic epitopes.