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MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
Published on: February 6, 2017
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Cellular microRNAs Repress Vesicular Stomatitis Virus but Not Theiler's Virus Replication
Aurélie De Cock1, Thomas Michiels2
1Université Catholique de Louvain, de Duve Institute, VIRO B1.74.07, 74 Avenue Hippocrate, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. aurelie.decock@uclouvain.be.
Viruses
|March 16, 2016
Summary
Cellular microRNAs minimally impact Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) replication. Studies found no evidence of microRNA target sequence selection against TMEV, and its replication was unaffected by microRNA levels.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Picornavirus genomic RNA functions as a template for translation and replication.
- Cellular microRNAs can inhibit picornavirus replication, but viral evolution may counteract this.
- Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) is a picornavirus with potential interactions with microRNAs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of under-represented microRNA target sequences in the TMEV genome.
- To assess the impact of cellular microRNAs on TMEV replication.
- To determine the overall influence of microRNAs on Theiler's virus fitness.
Main Methods:
- Examined the TMEV genome for under-represented microRNA target sequences.
- Introduced a specific microRNA target (miR-770-3p) into TMEV.
- Utilized short-term Dicer inactivation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts to reduce microRNA levels.
- Measured viral replication of TMEV and Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) as a control.
Main Results:
- Little evidence of under-represented microRNA target sequences was found in the TMEV genome.
- Introduction of miR-770-3p did not significantly affect TMEV replication.
- Short-term Dicer inactivation reduced microRNA abundance and increased VSV replication, but not TMEV replication.
Conclusions:
- Cellular microRNAs exert minimal influence on Theiler's virus fitness.
- TMEV replication is largely independent of cellular microRNA regulation.
- Viral evolution may not be driven by selection against microRNA targets in TMEV.
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