Defense and counterdefense in the RNAi-based antiviral immune system in insects

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMethods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) Vol. 721; p. 3
Main Authors van Mierlo, Joël T, van Cleef, Koen W R, van Rij, Ronald P
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 2011
Subjects
Animals
Drosophila melanogaster - genetics
Drosophila melanogaster - immunology
Drosophila melanogaster - virology
Humans
Immune System - immunology
RNA Interference
RNA, Small Interfering - genetics
Viruses - genetics
Viruses - pathogenicity
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1940-6029
DOI:10.1007/978-1-61779-037-9_1