title: RNA silencing: a remarkable parallel to protein-based immune systems in vertebrates?
abstract: Sequence-specific gene silencing by double-strand RNA has been observed in many eukaryotes. Accumulating data suggest that it is the major antiviral defense mechanism in plants and invertebrates. The discovery that this cellular mechanism is also highly conserved though somewhat impaired in mammals has stimulated debate about the evolution of antiviral systems. Here we suggest that the existence of the interferon response as an evolutionary intermediate could account for both the relative decline of RNA silencing and the development of protein-based immune systems in vertebrates. In addition, we emphasize the opportunities presented by RNA silencing and the deeper understanding of vertebrate antiviral systems that is needed.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Weizao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mingqiu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Gong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Weiyao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fei
authors.forename: Zhaoxin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000276:immunology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000276:immunology; D008954:Models, Biological; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000276:immunology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011506:Proteins; D007372:Interferons