Abstract
Genomes are databases sensitive to invasion by viruses. In recent years, a defense mechanism has been discovered, which turns out to be conserved among eukaryotes. The system can be compared to the immune system in several ways: It has specificity against foreign elements and the ability to amplify and raise a massive response against an invading nucleic acid. The latter property is beginning to be understood at the molecular level.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Base Pairing
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DNA Transposable Elements
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Endoribonucleases / metabolism
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Gene Silencing*
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Humans
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Immune System / physiology
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Plants / genetics
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RNA, Antisense / genetics
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RNA, Antisense / metabolism
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RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism*
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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RNA, Plant / genetics
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RNA, Plant / metabolism
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RNA, Small Interfering
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RNA, Untranslated / metabolism*
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RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / metabolism
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Ribonuclease III
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Virus Physiological Phenomena
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Viruses / genetics
Substances
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DNA Transposable Elements
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RNA, Antisense
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RNA, Double-Stranded
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Plant
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RNA, Small Interfering
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RNA, Untranslated
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RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase
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Endoribonucleases
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Ribonuclease III