RNA interference is activated in human response to influenza, other important viruses
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 - 10:21
in Health & Medicine
For the first time, research shows that RNA interference (RNAi) - an antiviral mechanism known to be used by plants and lower organisms - is active in the response of human cells to some important viruses. In their report, the investigators document both the production of RNAi molecules in human cells infected with the influenza A virus and the suppression of RNAi defense by a viral protein known to block the process in a common animal model.