title: Defense and counterdefense in the RNAi-based antiviral immune system in insects.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is an important pathway to combat virus infections in insects and plants. Hallmarks of antiviral RNAi in these organisms are: (1) an increase in virus replication after inactivation of major actors in the RNAi pathway, (2) production of virus-derived small interfering RNAs (v-siRNAs), and (3) suppression of RNAi by dedicated viral proteins. In this chapter, we will review the mechanism of RNAi in insects, its function as an antiviral immune system, viral small RNA profiles, and viral counterdefense strategies. We will also consider alternative, inducible antiviral immune responses.
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Joël T
authors: JT
authors: van Mierlo
authors: Koen W R
authors: KW
authors: van Cleef
authors: Ronald P
authors: RP
authors: van Rij
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering