A comprehensive view of regulation of gene expression by double-stranded RNA-mediated cell signaling

Double-stranded (ds) RNA, a common component of virus-infected cells, is a potent inducer of the type I interferon and other cellular genes. For identifying the full repertoire of human dsRNA-regulated genes, a cDNA microarray hybridization screening was conducted using mRNA from dsRNA-treated GRE cells. Because these cells lack all type I interferon genes, the possibility of gene induction by autocrine actions of interferon was eliminated. Our screen identified 175 dsRNA-stimulated genes (DSG) and 95 dsRNA-repressed genes. A subset of the DSGs was also induced by different inflammatory cytokines and viruses demonstrating interconnections among disparate signaling pathways. Functionally, the DSGs encode proteins involved in signaling, apoptosis, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis and processing, cell metabolism, transport, and structure. Induction of such a diverse family of genes by dsRNA has major implications in host-virus interactions and in the use of RNA(i) technology for functional ablation of specific genes.