Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
09:13
Isolation, Transfection, and Culture of Primary Human Monocytes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Cellular microRNA and P bodies modulate host-HIV-1 interactions
Robin Nathans1, Chia-Ying Chu, Anna Kristina Serquina
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
Molecular Cell
|June 30, 2009
Summary
Host microRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-29a can regulate HIV-1 replication. Disrupting P bodies, crucial for miRNA function, enhances viral production, highlighting miRNA roles in HIV-1 infection.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- miRNAs assemble into RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs) and localize to cytoplasmic P bodies.
- HIV-1 replication involves complex interactions with host cell machinery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of host miRNAs in HIV-1 production and infectivity.
- To determine if specific miRNAs target HIV-1 mRNA and influence viral replication.
- To explore the significance of P bodies in HIV-1-host interactions.
Main Methods:
- Identification and quantification of miRNAs in HIV-1-infected human T lymphocytes.
- Targeting of HIV-1 3'UTR by miR-29a.
- Manipulation of miR-29a levels (inhibition and mimic expression).
- Assessment of viral production and infectivity.
- Analysis of viral mRNA association with RISC and P body proteins.
Main Results:
- A highly abundant miRNA, miR-29a, was identified in HIV-1-infected T cells.
- miR-29a specifically targets the HIV-1 3'UTR.
- Inhibition of miR-29a increased HIV-1 production and infectivity.
- Expression of a miR-29 mimic suppressed viral replication.
- miR-29a enhances viral mRNA association with RISC and P body proteins.
- Disrupting P body structures increased viral production and infectivity.
Conclusions:
- Host miR-29a is a key regulator of HIV-1 production and infectivity.
- miR-29a exerts its effects by targeting HIV-1 mRNA and facilitating its interaction with RISC and P bodies.
- P bodies play a significant role in modulating host-virus interactions during HIV-1 infection.
- These findings highlight the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for HIV-1 and other viral infections.
More Related Videos
13:13Single-cell Quantitation of mRNA and Surface Protein Expression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected CD4+ T Cells Isolated from Rhesus macaques
Published on: September 25, 2018
11:06Genome-wide Analysis of HDAC Inhibitor-mediated Modulation of microRNAs and mRNAs in B Cells Induced to Undergo Class-switch DNA Recombination and Plasma Cell Differentiation
Published on: September 20, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:19Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...
01:26Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
01:29Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...