Abstract
Interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFITs) are a family of proteins, which are strongly induced downstream of type I interferon signaling. The molecular mechanism of IFIT anti-viral activity has been studied in some detail, including the recently discovered direct binding of viral nucleic acid, the binding to viral and host proteins, and the possible involvement in anti-viral immune signal propagation. The unique structures of some members of the IFIT family have been solved to reveal an internal pocket for non-sequence-specific, but conformation- and modification-specific, nucleic acid binding. This review will focus on recent discoveries, which link IFITs to the anti-viral response, intrinsic to the innate immune system.
Highlights
The germline-encoded innate immune system initiates a fast and targeted response upon recognition of an invading virus
The study found that IFIT1 bound 2 -Ounmethlyated RNA, which resulted in an inhibition of translation, and decreased virus infection (Figure 2A)
Pichlmair et al, who originally described the role of IFIT1 in binding PPP-RNA, noticed no decrease in type 1 IFNs produced in mouse fibroblasts, macrophages, or dendritic cells lacking IFIT1 [13]
Summary
The germline-encoded innate immune system initiates a fast and targeted response upon recognition of an invading virus. The detection of various viral nucleic acid species by these receptors elicits signaling cascades that include the production of anti-viral genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including type I interferons (IFNs) [1]. Beginning with the innate immune sensing of virus infection, ISGs encode many important protective and anti-viral pathways.
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