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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...

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mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

EBV-encoded miRNAs.

Stephanie Barth¹, Gunter Meister, Friedrich A Grässer

¹Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Institut für Virologie, Homburg/Saar, Germany.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta

|June 7, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate host gene expression, inhibit apoptosis, and evade immune responses. These viral miRNAs are implicated in specific cancers like nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

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Area of Science:

Virology
Molecular Biology
Oncology

Background:

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), an oncogenic herpesvirus, is linked to human tumors.
EBV was the first virus discovered to encode microRNAs (miRNAs).
miRNAs are short, non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of EBV-encoded miRNAs in viral pathogenesis and cancer.
To understand how viral miRNAs modulate host cell responses and viral gene expression.

Main Methods:

Analysis of miRNA expression profiles in EBV-infected cells and associated cancers.
Identification of viral and cellular miRNA targets.

Main Results:

EBV encodes at least 44 mature miRNAs targeting viral and cellular genes.
EBV infection deregulates host cell miRNA profiles.
Viral miRNAs inhibit apoptosis and immune recognition, aiding latent infection.
Viral miRNAs are differentially abundant in various cancers, notably high in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Conclusions:

EBV utilizes miRNAs to establish latency by inhibiting apoptosis and immune surveillance.
Viral miRNAs play a significant role in the pathogenesis of EBV-associated malignancies, particularly NPC.
Exosomal viral miRNAs suggest a mechanism for intercellular communication to modulate host tissue responses.