Antiviral applications of RNAi for coronavirus.
Until the appearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in early 2003, coronavirus infection was not considered to be serious enough to be controlled by either vaccination or specific antiviral therapy. It is now believed that the availability of antiviral drugs effective against SARS-CoV will be crucial for the control of future SARS outbreaks. Recently, RNA interference has been successfully used as a more specific and efficient method for gene silencing. RNA interference induced by small interfering RNA can inhibit the expression of viral antigens and so provides a new approach to the therapy of pathogenic viruses. This review provides an overview of current information on coronavirus and the application of small interfering RNA in viral therapeutics, with particular reference to SARS-CoV.
Wu
Chang-Jer
CJ
Department of Food Science, 2 Pei Ning Road, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan. wuchangjer@yahoo.com.tw
Chan
Yi-Lin
YL
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000998:Antiviral Agents