Capsid
The HCV capsid, also known as the HCV core, is the protein shell that encapsidates and protects the HCV RNA. The HCV capsid is made up entirely by the HCV core protein. The proteins on the outer surface of the core interact with the viral membrane and inner surface binds to several HCV RNA segments. Following cleavage from the polypeptide, the core proteins assemble at the cytoplasmic face of the endoplasmic reticulum to form the capsid; this assembly process is triggered by interactions with the HCV RNA and envelope E1 protein. During assembly the core proteins use the HCV RNA as a scaffold upon which core proteins bind to and surround the HCV RNA. The HCV capsid is spherical and heterogenous in size, with an approximate diameter of 30 nm.