Related Experiment Videos
HIV-1 encoded candidate micro-RNAs and their cellular targets
Yamina Bennasser1, Shu-Yun Le, Man Lung Yeung
1Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0460, USA. YBennasser@niaid.nih.gov
Retrovirology
|December 17, 2004
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may encode microRNAs (miRNAs) that target human genes. These viral miRNAs (vmiRNAs) could potentially regulate cellular processes to benefit the virus.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- Cellular miRNAs play crucial roles in normal development and physiological processes across various organisms.
- The potential for viruses to encode miRNAs (viral miRNAs or vmiRNAs) is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genome to encode miRNAs.
- To identify potential cellular targets of these putative HIV-encoded vmiRNAs.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of the HIV genome to predict candidate pre-miRNA sequences.
- Deduction of mature miRNA sequences from predicted pre-miRNAs.
- In silico matching of deduced vmiRNA sequences against human 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) to identify potential targets.
Main Results:
- Identification of five candidate pre-miRNA sequences within the HIV genome.
- Prediction of mature miRNA sequences derived from these pre-miRNAs.
- Significant number of human cellular transcripts identified as potential targets for these vmiRNAs.
Conclusions:
- The HIV genome possesses the potential to encode functional miRNAs (vmiRNAs).
- These vmiRNAs may target a substantial number of human cellular transcripts.
- HIV may utilize vmiRNAs to manipulate the cellular environment for its own advantage.