The mature nonstructural proteins (NS2 to NS5B) generation relies on the activity of viral proteinases. The NS2/NS3 junction is ... It prevents CD81 from latching onto its respective receptor on the virus. In addition, E2 can shield E1 from the immune system ... Walewski JL, Keller TR, Stump DD, Branch AD (2001). "Evidence for a new hepatitis C virus antigen encoded in an overlapping ... The large pre-protein is later cleaved by cellular and viral proteases into the 10 smaller proteins that allow viral ...