Nucleocapsid
The HCV nucleocapsid consists of the HCV capsid plus the HCV RNA. The capsid, which consists entirely of HCV core proteins, forms a shell that encapsidates and protects the HCV RNA. The HCV RNA is single-stranded, positive-sense RNA that is approximately 9,600 nucleotide bases in length. Certain segments of the HCV RNA bind to the capsid structure. The HCV nucleocapsid is spherical and heterogenous in size, with an approximate diameter of 30 nm.