Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Handling of the Cotton Rat in Studies for the Pre-clinical Evaluation of Oncolytic Viruses
Published on: November 24, 2014
Novel virus-encoded microRNA molecules expressed by ovine herpesvirus 2-immortalized bovine T-cells
Claire S Levy1, John Hopkins1, George C Russell2
1The Roslin Institute & R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Campus, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
Abstract:
A number of herpesviruses have now been shown to encode microRNAs (miRNAs) that have roles in control of both viral and cellular gene expression. Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) is the causative agent of sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever, a fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle. Using massively parallel sequencing and Northern hybridization we have identified eight putative miRNAs encoded by OvHV-2 expressed in an OvHV-2-immortalized bovine lymphocyte cell line. These eight miRNAs are encoded in two areas of the OvHV-2 genome that contain no predicted protein coding regions and show no sequence similarity with other herpesvirus or cellular miRNAs. This represents the first report of the expression of virally encoded miRNAs in the genus Macavirus of herpesviruses.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly
Inhibitors Of Virion Release
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
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...
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Viruses with RNA Genomes
MicroRNAs

