Interferon-induced antiviral RNA-binding protein that specifically binds single-stranded RNA bearing a 5′-triphosphate group (PPP-RNA), thereby acting as a sensor of viral single-stranded RNAs and inhibiting expression of viral messenger RNAs. Single-stranded PPP-RNAs, which lack 2′-O-methylation of the 5′ cap and bear a 5′-triphosphate group instead, are specific from viruses, providing a molecular signature to distinguish between self and non-self mRNAs by the host during viral infection. Directly binds PPP-RNA in a non-sequence-specific manner. Viruses evolved several ways to evade this restriction system such as encoding their own 2′-O-methylase for their mRNAs or by stealing host cap containing the 2′-O-methylation (cap snatching mechanism). Exhibits antiviral activity against several viruses including human papilloma and hepatitis C viruses.
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