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TY - JOUR AU - Hao, Linhui AU - Sakurai, Akira AU - Watanabe, Tokiko AU - Sorensen, Ericka AU - Nidom, Chairul A. AU - Newton, Michael A. AU - Ahlquist, Paul AU - Kawaoka, Yoshihiro PY - 2008 DA - 2008/08/01 TI - Drosophila RNAi screen identifies host genes important for influenza virus replication JO - Nature SP - 890 EP - 893 VL - 454 IS - 7206 AB - Although several alternative antivirals are available for the treatment of influenza virus infection, the risk that viruses resistant to these drugs will emerge means it is important to continue the search for new antiviral targets. Hao et al. have recruited a new ally to this cause: by modifying influenza virus so that it can infect the cells of the fruit fly Drosophila, they have been able to use a powerful genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen to identify scores of host genes that the pathogen requires for successful infection. Several host proteins were found that have key functions in the replication of H5N1 and H1N1 influenza A viruses — but not other viruses — in human cells. The same strategy should be applicable to other viruses, as long as at least part of their replication cycle can be supported in Drosophila cells. SN - 1476-4687 UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07151 DO - 10.1038/nature07151 ID - Hao2008 ER -