Figure 1.
Current knowledge on cell-intrinsic restriction of HIV replication by ISGs. HIV nucleic acids can be sensed by host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which signal through interferon (IFN) regulatory factors to induce expression of IFN-stimulatory genes (ISGs). The figure illustrates the current knowledge on how ISGs target different steps in the HIV replication cycle and how specific HIV proteins counteract this antiviral response. SLFN11 identified in the article by Li et al.1, exerts antiviral activity through a novel mechanism by targeting tRNAs and reducing their cellular abundance, thus interfering with mRNA translation. TLR7, toll-like receptor 7; RIG-1, retinoid-acid inducible gene 1; TBK-1, tank-binding kinase 1; DNAR, DNA receptors.