title: Viral inhibition of the interferon system.
abstract: In response to interferon (IFN), cells develop an antiviral state in which the replication of a wide spectrum of RNA and DNA viruses is inhibited. Viruses have evolved a variety of mechanisms to inhibit the production and action of the interferons. Interferon action may be blocked by inhibition of the post-receptor signalling pathway, which prevents the expression of a number of proteins with antiviral properties. Other viruses prevent the action of specific, interferon-induced antiviral systems. In particular, the action of the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase (DAI) is inhibited by a variety of different viruses, indicating the fundamental importance of this enzyme to the antiviral response.
authors.affiliation: Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, U.K.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: McNair
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Kerr
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018406:Virus Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons