RNAi suppressors encoded by pathogenic human viruses.
RNA silencing or RNAi interference (RNAi) serves as an innate antiviral mechanism in plants, fungi and animals. Human viruses, like plant viruses, encode suppressor proteins or RNAs that block or modulate the RNAi pathway. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which pathogenic human viruses affect the RNAi pathway. Furthermore, some applications of the viral RNAi suppressor functions and the consequences for antiviral therapeutic strategies that are based on RNAi are discussed.
de Vries
Walter
W
Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam K3-110, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Berkhout
Ben
B
D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D014780:Viruses / Q000378:metabolism*
D007372:Interferons