title: Inhibition of retroviral RNA production by ZAP, a CCCH-type zinc finger protein.
abstract: Cells have evolved multiple mechanisms to inhibit viral replication. To identify previously unknown antiviral activities, we screened mammalian complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries for genes that prevent infection by a genetically marked retrovirus. Virus-resistant cells were selected from pools of transduced clones, and an active antiviral cDNA was recovered. The gene encodes a CCCH-type zinc finger protein designated ZAP. Expression of the gene caused a profound and specific loss of viral messenger RNAs (mRNAs) from the cytoplasm without affecting the levels of nuclear mRNAs. The finding suggests the existence of a previously unknown machinery for the inhibition of virus replication, targeting a step in viral gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 701 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Guangxia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xuemin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Goff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015723:Gene Library; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D051381:Rats; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014779:Virus Replication; D016335:Zinc Fingers
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C465959:Zc3hav1 protein, rat