HumanViCe: host ceRNA network in virus infected cells in human

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Host-virus interactions are crucial in disease pathogenesis.
• RNA interference, mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs), is a key antiviral defense, but viruses also encode miRNAs.
• Viruses exploit host miRNA networks and non-coding RNAs for their own benefit.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and analyze the complex cross-talk between host and viral miRNAs and their targets in virus-infected cells.
• To investigate the role of non-coding RNAs in virus-host interactions, particularly through the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism.
• To compile these interactions into a comprehensive database for research.

Main Methods:

• Prediction of protein-coding and non-coding targets for viral and human miRNAs in infected cells.
• Identification of viral miRNA targets within host non-coding RNA loci using AGO-interacting regions.
• Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis of identified ceRNA networks.

Main Results:

• Viral non-coding RNAs (e.g., HSUR) can bind and alter host miRNA levels.
• ceRNA networks in infected cells are enriched in pathways crucial for cell fate, gene transcription, viral entry, replication, and virulence.
• Numerous non-coding transcripts act as ceRNAs for immune response genes like APOBEC family genes.

Conclusions:

• Viruses extensively utilize host miRNA and ceRNA networks for pathogenesis.
• The HumanViCe database provides a valuable resource for understanding virus-host interactions at the non-coding RNA level.
• This research highlights the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing viral infections.