[Progress in studies of viperin, an important cellular antiviral factor].

Viperin is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein that has been identified as an innate antiviral protein. Viperin expression can be largely upregulated by viruses, interferons, and oligonucleotides such as poly I:C and lipopolysaccharides. Viperin inhibits viral replication by interactiing with host cell proteins and several viral proteins, and disrupting the cell membrane system. It shows a broad-spectrum of antiviral activity. Some viruses have developed activities that counteract the action of viperin during a long- term period of evolution with hosts by impairing viperin expression. In addition to its antiviral effects, viperin has several other biological functions. This article review the basic characteristics of viperin and the state of current research into its antiviral effects, demonstrating the rapid progress that has been made in this field.