Evolution of the interferon response: lessons from ISGs of diverse mammals

Matthew B. McDougal, Ian N. Boys, Pamela De La Cruz-Rivera, John W. Schoggins

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

The vertebrate interferon (IFN) response controls viral infections by inducing hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), many of which encode ‘restriction factors’ that uniquely target certain viruses. ISG studies have historically had a human-centric focus, which is justified because these natural defense mechanisms might be leveraged to treat human viral disease. However, certain mammals are reservoirs for zoonotic viruses that can ‘spill over’ into humans. Additionally, restriction factors have prominent roles in the ongoing evolutionary genetic conflicts between viruses and their hosts. Thus, there is a growing need to understand antiviral IFN/ISG responses in other species, particularly in known reservoirs of zoonotic viruses. This review focuses on functional and evolutionary insight into antiviral IFN responses that have been obtained from studying non-model mammalian species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number101202
JournalCurrent Opinion in Virology
Volume53
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

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