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In Vitro SUMOylation Assay to Study SUMO E3 Ligase Activity
Published on: January 29, 2018
Epstein-Barr virus encoded microRNAs target SUMO-regulated cellular functions
Simone Callegari1, Stefano Gastaldello, Omid R Faridani
1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Post-translational modification by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) regulates the cellular response to different types of stress and plays a pivotal role in the control of oncogenic viral infections. Here we investigated the capacity of microRNAs (miRNAs) encoded by Epstein-Barr virus to interfere with the SUMO signaling network. Using a computational strategy that scores different properties of miRNA-mRNA target pairs, we identified a minimal set of 575 members of the SUMO interactome that may be targeted by one or more Epstein-Barr virus miRNAs. A significant proportion of the candidates cluster in a functional network that controls chromatin organization, stress, DNA damage and immune responses, apoptosis and transforming growth factor beta signaling. Multiple components of the transforming growth factor beta signaling pathway were inhibited upon upregulation of the BamHI-H rightward open reading frame 1 (BHRF1) encoded miRNAs in cells transduced with recombinant lentiviruses or entering the productive virus cycle. These findings point to the capacity of viral miRNAs to interfere with SUMO-regulated cellular functions that control key aspects of viral replication and pathogenesis.
Insights
Epstein-Barr virus microRNAs target the SUMOylation network, impacting cellular stress and immune responses. Viral miRNAs inhibit key pathways like TGF-beta, affecting viral replication and pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Post-translational modification by SUMOylation regulates cellular stress responses and viral infections.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes microRNAs (miRNAs) with poorly understood functions.
- Understanding viral miRNA interactions with host cell machinery is crucial for pathogenesis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interference of EBV-encoded miRNAs with the SUMOylation signaling network.
- To identify host SUMO interactome members targeted by EBV miRNAs.
- To elucidate the functional consequences of this interference on cellular processes and viral replication.
Main Methods:
- Computational analysis of miRNA-mRNA target pairs to predict SUMO interactome members targeted by EBV miRNAs.
- Functional network analysis of predicted target genes.
- Experimental validation using lentiviral transduction and productive viral cycle induction.
- Assessing the impact of BHRF1 miRNAs on TGF-beta signaling pathway components.
Main Results:
- Identified 575 potential SUMO interactome targets of EBV miRNAs.
- Predicted targets are enriched in functional networks controlling chromatin organization, stress, DNA damage, immune responses, apoptosis, and TGF-beta signaling.
- Upregulation of BHRF1 miRNAs inhibited multiple components of the TGF-beta signaling pathway.
Conclusions:
- EBV miRNAs can effectively interfere with SUMO-regulated cellular functions.
- This interference impacts critical cellular processes involved in viral replication and pathogenesis.
- Viral miRNAs represent a significant mechanism by which EBV manipulates host cell pathways.
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