Regulation of Drosophila-virus interaction

Drosophila melanogaster is a useful model system for deciphering mammalian biological processes including development, innate immunity and cancer. Most genetic studies conducted in Drosophila have focused on the immune response against microbial infection and the results obtained have been extrapolated to other organisms. During the last decade the issue of the antiviral response attracted a great deal of interest. In this review we highlight recent discoveries in the role of RNA interference pathway in antiviral response in Drosophila with a focus on the role of miRNAs as both host defense elements and helpers of viral replication.