What is it about?
IFI27, an immune-induced protein, helps to activate protein kinase R (PKR). PKR blocks the production of proteins by the virus and the cell itself, affecting viral replication and the immune response against it. We have shown that IFI27 needs to interact with other specific molecules and proteins to enhance the action of PKR. This process was demonstrated with different RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 (causing COVID-19) and VSV, and also with molecules that mimic viral infections in cultured cells. Therefore, it is a process that could be common to many different types of RNA virus infections.
Featured Image
Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Our results on the regulation of cellular defense against viral infections by IFI27, could be very helpful to find new treatments or ways to combat a wide variety of viruses in the future.
Perspectives
The study of innate immunity against viral infections is an exciting field, of which we still know very little. Situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic put into perspective the importance of our progress in understanding these mechanisms.
Darío López-García
Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: IFN alpha inducible protein 27 (IFI27) acts as a positive regulator of PACT-dependent PKR activation after RNA virus infections, PLoS Pathogens, June 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013246.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
