Recent studies regarding the utility of
RNAi to specifically inhibit virus replication have opened new possibilities for the development of novel therapies against viral infection. However, viruses appear to be capable of escaping RNAi inhibition in mammalian cells. Viral mechanisms for escaping RNAi may include suppression of RNAi, mutational escape from RNAi, and modulation of the cell's microRNA (miRNA) /RNAi profile.
Further reading:
Labels: MicroRNA, RNAi
Small RNA-directed silencing mechanisms play important roles in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. In plants, insects, nematodes and fungi
RNA silencing mechanisms are also involved in innate antiviral defence responses. To counter antiviral RNA silencing, viruses from plants, insects and fungi encode RNA silencing suppressors (RSSs).
Recent studies suggest that RNA silencing in mammals, or RNA interference (RNAi), is also involved in antiviral responses. In particular, there is increasing evidence that cellular regulatory
microRNAs (miRNAs) have a function in restricting virus replication in mammalian cells. Similar to plant and insect viruses, several mammalian viruses encode RSS factors that inhibit the RNAi mechanism. Several of these suppressors are multifunctional proteins that were previously shown to block innate antiviral immune responses involving the interferon (IFN) pathway.
Further reading:
Labels: MicroRNA, miRNA