Yeast genes that affect viral replication

Abstract

An antiviral agent comprising an altered MAB1, MAB2, MAB3, or OLE1 gene, gene homologs or related genes is disclosed. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of creating a virus resistant organism comprising creating a transgenic organism comprising an antiviral agent selected from the group of altered MAB1 genes, MAB2 genes, MAB3 genes or OLE1 genes, homologs of these genes, related genes and combinations of these genes and homologs.

1 . A method of evaluating a substance as antiviral therapy, comprising the step of
 a) exposing a substance to a protein expression system, wherein the system expresses a Δ9 fatty acid desaturase enzyme, and   b) evaluating the effect of the substance on the expression level of the enzyme, wherein the inhibition of the expression level indicates that the substance is a possible antiviral therapy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Δ9 fatty acid desaturase enzyme is encoded by yeast OLE1 or one of its mammalian homologs. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Δ9 fatty acid desaturase enzyme is human Δ9 fatty acid desaturase enzyme. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the protein expression system is selected from the group consisting of whole cells in culture, cell extract system, whole animals, an in vitro transcription system and an in vitro protein expression system.