Cellular AATF gene encodes a novel miRNA that can contribute to HIV-1 latency

HIV-1 encoded microRNA hiv1-miR-H1 is known to induce CD4+ lymphopenia through its ability to downregulate cellular AATF gene. The present study directed to examine the target sites of this miRNA on AATF gene revealed the existence of a novel miRNA designated as hmiR-che-1 which had the inherent capacity to target HIV-1 genome especially regions coding for hiv1-miR-H1 as well as Vpr gene. Further, the expression of AATF gene coupled with its encoded microRNA hmiR-che-1 exhibited characteristic antagonism with the expression of hiv1-miR-H1 within the lymphocytes, derived from asymptomatic as well as symptomatic AIDS subjects. Based upon these observations, we propose that the widely recognised HIV-1 latency in CD4+ T-lymphocytes may arise, because of the orchestrated balance that may exist between the expression levels of hiv1-miR-H1 and hmiR-che-1 within lymphocytes infected with HIV-1.