Resumo

USUGA, XIOMARA  e  RUGELES, MARÍA TERESA. Ribonucleases: [subtitle]Theurapetical potential on Viral Infections. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2006, vol.11, n.2, pp.31-44. ISSN 0120-548X.

Currently, there is a great interest to identify proteins or antimicrobial peptides to be included in the therapeutic arsenal for preventing different infectious diseases. Ribonucleases (RNases) that belong to the Ribonuclease A superfamily participate in several physiologic processes, from alternative splicing of RNA to organogenesis. These enzymes are expressed by various tissues and exhibit variable specificities against different RNA substrates. The therapeutic potential of RNases has been suggested for oncogenic processes; in addition, direct antiviral activity and the potential to activate cells from the innate immune system, inducing their maturation and release of proinflammatory cytokines have been also associated with these enzymes. Our research team, have carried out studies that indicate the ability of four recombinant RNases: EDN, 4EDN, RNase A and angiogenin to inhibit HIV1 replication in activated peripheral blood T lymphocytes. In this article we review the classification of RNases that belong to the Ribonucleases A superfamily; we describe in detail what is known regarding the biologic function, inhibitory activity and mechanism of action of the RNases recognized by their antiviral activity.

Palavras-chave : RNasa 1; antiviral activity; RNase 1; EDN; ECP; ONC.

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