Anti-IFIT1

This gene encodes a protein containing tetratricopeptide repeats that was originally identified as induced upon treatment with interferon. The encoded protein may inhibit viral replication and translational initiation. This gene is located in a cluster on chromosome 10 with five other closely related genes. There is a pseudogene for this gene on chromosome 13. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed. Protein function: Interferon-induced antiviral RNA-binding protein that specifically binds single-stranded RNA bearing a 5'-triphosphate group (PPP-RNA), thereby acting as a sensor of viral single-stranded RNAs and inhibiting expression of viral messenger RNAs. Single-stranded PPP- RNAs, which lack 2'-O-methylation of the 5' cap and bear a 5'- triphosphate group instead, are specific from viruses, providing a molecular signature to distinguish between self and non-self mRNAs by the host during viral infection. Directly binds PPP-RNA in a non- sequence-specific manner. Viruses evolved several ways to evade this restriction system such as encoding their own 2'-O-methylase for their mRNAs or by stealing host cap containing the 2'-O-methylation (cap snatching mechanism). Exhibits antiviral activity against several viruses including human papilloma and hepatitis C viruses. [The UniProt Consortium]