Phenomenon of RNA-induced gene silencing is a highly conservative mechanism among eukaryotic organisms. Several classes of small RNAs (siRNAs and miRNAs) 21–25 nt in length, which play a significant role in the processes of development of an organism, occurred important components of antiviral defence in animals and plants. This review shortly describes the main stages of gene silencing mechanism, features of antiviral RNA silencing in plants, invertebrates, mammals, ways of suppression of RNA-interference by viruses, as well as possible approaches of utilization of abovementioned phenomenon for struggling against viral infections.

中文翻译：

---

siRNA和miRNA在病毒感染过程中RNA介导的基因沉默过程中的作用。

RNA诱导的基因沉默现象是真核生物中高度保守的机制。在生物体发育过程中起重要作用的几类长度为21-25 nt的小RNA（siRNA和miRNA）是抗动植物防御系统的重要组成部分。本文简要介绍了基因沉默机制的主要阶段，植物，无脊椎动物，哺乳动物中抗病毒RNA沉默的特征，病毒抑制RNA干扰的方法以及利用上述现象抗击病毒感染的可能方法。