Schematic model of HCV life cycle and siRNA-mediated inhibition of different steps: After receptor-mediated entry, host protein hVAP-A interacts in the uncoating and replication complex formation step within the membranous web network region. Therefore, downregulating hVAP-A with siRNA severely affects the viral replication. siRNA against La autoantigen and PSMA7 simultaneously hinder viral translation and replication step. La autoantigen also binds to the 3′UTR of viral RNA and protects it from cellular nuclease; hence downregulation of La autoantigen makes the viral RNA susceptible to nuclease. NS5B siRNA was directed against the NS5B conserved region of viral RNA.