Antiviral protein
Antiviral Protein
Antiviral proteins (pronunciation: an-tee-vahy-ruhl proh-teen) are a group of proteins that are produced by the body's immune system in response to a viral infection. They play a crucial role in the body's defense mechanism against viruses.
Etymology
The term "antiviral" is derived from the Latin word "anti" meaning against, and "virus" which is a Latin word for poison. The term "protein" comes from the Greek word "proteios" meaning primary or of first importance.
Function
Antiviral proteins function by inhibiting the replication of viruses within host cells. They are produced by the body's immune system in response to the presence of a virus. The production of these proteins is triggered by the release of Interferons (IFNs), which are a group of signaling proteins produced and released by host cells in response to the presence of several viruses.
Types of Antiviral Proteins
There are several types of antiviral proteins, including:
- Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs): These are a group of genes that are activated in response to viral infection. They produce proteins that have antiviral properties.
- Mx proteins: These are large GTPases with antiviral activity against a wide range of RNA viruses.
- OAS proteins: These proteins are part of the innate immune response to viral infection. They are activated by double-stranded RNA and inhibit viral replication by degrading viral RNA.
- PKR protein: This protein is activated by double-stranded RNA and inhibits viral replication by phosphorylating the translation initiation factor eIF2α.
Related Terms
- Virus: A small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.
- Protein: Large biomolecules, or macromolecules, consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues.
- Immune System: A host defense system comprising many biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease.
- Interferon: A group of signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several viruses.
- Innate Immunity: The first line of defense in the immune system, it acts immediately or within hours of an antigen's appearance in the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antiviral protein
- Wikipedia's article - Antiviral protein
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