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Gene expression pattern in Caco-2 cells following rotavirus infection
Mariela A Cuadras1, Dino A Feigelstock, Sungwhan An
1Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Journal of Virology
|April 5, 2002
Summary
Rotaviruses cause severe diarrhea in children. This study identified 508 human genes with altered mRNA levels after rotavirus infection, revealing key host responses to the virus.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Rotaviruses are a primary cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea in infants and young children globally.
- Rotavirus infection causes significant structural and functional changes in host cells.
- Understanding host gene responses is crucial for developing effective antiviral strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify host cellular genes with altered mRNA expression following rotavirus infection.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying host cell responses to rotavirus.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microarrays with over 38,000 human cDNAs.
- Analyzed the transcriptional response of the human intestinal cell line Caco-2 after rotavirus infection.
- Measured gene expression changes at 1 and 16 hours postinfection.
Main Results:
- 508 genes showed differential regulation (>2-fold) at 16 hours postinfection; only one gene was regulated at 1 hour.
- 73% of transcriptional changes involved gene upregulation, predominantly occurring late (≥12 hours postinfection).
- Regulated genes included those involved in membrane proteins, interferon response, transcriptional/translational regulation, and calcium metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus infection triggers a broad, late-onset transcriptional response in host cells.
- Identified gene families may play significant roles in rotavirus pathogenesis.
- Provides insights into global transcriptional regulation during viral infection.