Many cellular and virus messenger RNAs are methylated at the 2′-O positions of the 5′ guanosine cap. The role of 2′-O methylation in virus infection has been unclear. These authors show that this form of methylation enables several unrelated viruses to evade the antiviral effects of genes stimulated by type I interferon.
- Stephane Daffis
- Kristy J. Szretter
- Michael S. Diamond