RNA Viruses and RNAi: Quasispecies Implications for Viral Escape

Viruses

John B. Presloid²  Isabel S. Novella¹ 

[1] Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, The University of Toledo, 3055 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, USA; E-Mail

关键词: RNA virus;    RNAi;    escape;    adaptations;    quasispecies;   

DOI  :  10.3390/v7062768

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Due to high mutation rates, populations of RNA viruses exist as a collection of closely related mutants known as a quasispecies. A consequence of error-prone replication is the potential for rapid adaptation of RNA viruses when a selective pressure is applied, including host immune systems and antiviral drugs. RNA interference (RNAi) acts to inhibit protein synthesis by targeting specific mRNAs for degradation and this process has been developed to target RNA viruses, exhibiting their potential as a therapeutic against infections. However, viruses containing mutations conferring resistance to RNAi were isolated in nearly all cases, underlining the problems of rapid viral evolution. Thus, while promising, the use of RNAi in treating or preventing viral diseases remains fraught with the typical complications that result from high specificity of the target, as seen in other antiviral regimens.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.