Which of the following is an antiviral protein?

Options

A. Terramycin
B. Penicillin
C. Statins
D. Interferon

Answer

To solve the question of identifying which of the following is an antiviral protein, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Definition of Antiviral Proteins**:
- Antiviral proteins are proteins that are produced by host cells (humans or animals) in response to viral infections. Their primary function is to inhibit viral replication within the host cells.

2. **Analyze the Options**:
- We need to evaluate the given options to determine which one is classified as an antiviral protein.

3. **Evaluate Each Option**:
- **Option 1: Teramycin** - This is an antibiotic, which is used to treat bacterial infections, not viral infections. Therefore, it is not an antiviral protein.
- **Option 2: Penicillin** - Similar to teramycin, penicillin is also an antibiotic used against bacterial infections and does not have antiviral properties. Thus, it is not an antiviral protein.
- **Option 3: Statins** - Statins are a class of drugs that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in cholesterol synthesis. They are not antiviral proteins.
- **Option 4: Interferon** - Interferons are proteins that are produced by host cells in response to viral infections. They play a crucial role in the immune response by inhibiting viral replication and enhancing the immune response against viruses. Therefore, interferon is indeed an antiviral protein.

4. **Select the Correct Answer**:
- Based on the analysis, the correct answer is **Interferon**, as it is the only option that fits the definition of an antiviral protein.

### Final Answer:
The antiviral protein among the options is **Interferon**.

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