How Mammals Fight Avian Viruses
Author Information
Author(s): Becker Jordan T., Mickelson Clayton K., Pross Lauren M., Sanders Autumn E., Vogt Esther R., Shepherd Frances K., Wick Chloe, Barkhymer Alison J., Aron Stephanie L., Fay Elizabeth J., Harris Reuben S., Langlois Ryan A.
Primary Institution: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Hypothesis
Can mammalian proteins ZAP and KHNYN restrict CpG-enriched avian viruses?
Conclusion
Mammalian proteins ZAP and KHNYN can independently restrict CpG-enriched avian viruses.
Supporting Evidence
- CpG content is depleted in human and swine IAV relative to avian IAV.
- Human ZAP-S and KHNYN but not chicken ZAP independently restrict CpG-rich IAV.
- Mammalian ZAP-L and KHNYN but not chicken ZAP independently restrict ROSV.
- Platypus KHNYN potently restricts retroviruses, including IAV, HIV-1, MLV, and ROSV.
Takeaway
Mammals have special proteins that help them fight off certain bird viruses, and these proteins work even when the viruses try to change.
Methodology
The study involved overexpression and knockout experiments in chicken and human cells to assess the restriction of avian viruses.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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