Duplication of the V3 domain in hepatitis C virus (1b) NS5A protein: Clonal analysis and physicochemical properties related to hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence

•Duplicated HCV-1b NS5A V3 was found in patients with different liver disease outcome.•By phylogenetic study, V3 DI and V3 DII clonal nucleotide sequences clustered apart.•By clonal study, HCC V3 DII was genetically more distant from HCV-J than HCC V3 DI.•These latter were more distant from HCV-J than Ci V3 DII and Ci V3 DI, respectively.•HCC V3 DII sequences were enriched in hydrophilic and disorder-promoting residues.