RESUMO
Lipids play essential roles in the cell as components of cellular membranes, signaling molecules, and energy storage sources. Lipid droplets are cellular organelles composed of neutral lipids, such as triglycerides and cholesterol esters, and are also considered as cellular energy reserves, yet new functions have been recently associated with these structures, such as regulators of oxidative stress and cellular lipotoxicity, as well as modulators of pathogen infection through immune regulation. Lipid metabolism and lipid droplets participate in the infection process of many RNA viruses and control their replication and assembly, among others. Here, we review and discuss the contribution of lipid metabolism and lipid droplets over the replication cycle of RNA viruses, altogether pointing out potentially new pharmacological antiviral targets associated with lipid metabolism.
RESUMO
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the susceptibility of certain populations to RNA virus infection. This variety of agents is currently the cause of severe respiratory diseases (SARS-CoV2 and Influenza), Hepatitis C, measles and of high prevalence tropical diseases that are detected throughout the year (Dengue and Zika). The rs10774671 polymorphism is a base change from G to A in the last nucleotide of intron-5 of the OAS1 gene. This change modifies a splicing site and generates isoforms of the OAS1 protein with a higher molecular weight and a demonstrated lower enzymatic activity. The low activity of these OAS1 isoforms makes the innate immune response against RNA virus infections less efficient, representing a previously unattended risk factor for certain populations. OBJECTIVE: Determine the distribution of rs10774671 in the open population of Mexico. METHODS: In 98 healthy volunteers, allelic and genotypic frequencies were determined by qPCR using allele specific labeled probes, and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was determined. RESULTS: The A-allele turned out to be the most prevalent in the analyzed population. CONCLUSIONS: Our population is genetically susceptible to RNA virus disease due to the predominant presence of the A allele of rs10774671 in the OAS1 gene.