Induction and suppression of RNA silencing: insights from viral infections.
Voinnet O.
Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes du CNRS, 12 Rue du Général Zimmer, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France. olivier.voinnet@ibmp-ulp.u-strasbg.fr
In eukaryotes, small RNA molecules engage in sequence-specific interactions to inhibit gene expression by RNA silencing. This process fulfils fundamental regulatory roles, as well as antiviral functions, through the activities of microRNAs and small interfering RNAs. As a counter-defence mechanism, viruses have evolved various anti-silencing strategies that are being progressively unravelled. These studies have not only highlighted our basic understanding of host-parasite interactions, but also provide key insights into the diversity, regulation and evolution of RNA-silencing pathways.
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PMID: 15703763 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]