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Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Using Click Chemistry to Measure the Effect of Viral Infection on Host-Cell RNA Synthesis
Published on: August 9, 2013
IFIT1: A dual sensor and effector molecule that detects non-2'-O methylated viral RNA and inhibits its translation
1Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, United States; Department of Molecular MicrobiologyWashington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, United States; Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, United States; Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, United States.
Abstract:
Our understanding of the antiviral actions of IFIT1, one of the most strongly induced interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), has advanced remarkably within the last few years. This review focuses on the recent cellular, biochemical, and structural discoveries that have provided new insight as to how IFIT1 functions as both a sensor and effector molecule of the cellular innate immune system. IFIT1 can detect viral RNA lacking 2'-O methylation on their cap structures or displaying a 5'-triphosphate moiety and inhibit their translation or sequester them from active replication. Because of these inhibitory actions, many viruses have evolved unique mechanisms to evade IFIT1 to facilitate replication, spread of infection, and disease pathogenesis.
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