The DExD/H-box helicase Dicer-2 mediates the induction of antiviral activity in drosophila

Safia Deddouche, Nicolas Matt, Aidan Budd, Stefanie Mueller, Cordula Kemp, Delphine Galiana-Arnoux, Catherine Dostert, Christophe Antoniewski, Jules A. Hoffmann, Jean Luc Imler*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

305 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Drosophila, like other invertebrates and plants, relies mainly on RNA interference for its defense against viruses. In flies, viral infection also triggers the expression of many genes. One of the genes induced, Vago, encodes a 18-kilodalton cysteine-rich polypeptide. Here we provide genetic evidence that the Vago gene product controlled viral load in the fat body after infection with drosophila C virus. Induction of Vago was dependent on the helicase Dicer-2. Dicer-2 belongs to the same DExD/ H-box helicase family as do the RIG-I-like receptors, which sense viral infection and mediate interferon induction in mammals. We propose that this family represents an evolutionary conserved set of sensors that detect viral nucleic acids and direct antiviral responses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1425-1432
Number of pages8
JournalNature Immunology
Volume9
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The DExD/H-box helicase Dicer-2 mediates the induction of antiviral activity in drosophila'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this