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Published on: October 9, 2011
Bovine leukemia virus pre-miRNA genes' polymorphism.
I M Zyrianova1, S N Koval'chuk1
1a Federal State Budget Scientific Institution Center of Experimental Embryology and Reproductive Biotechnologies , Moscow , Russian Federation.
RNA Biology
|December 5, 2018
Summary
Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection in cattle is linked to specific microRNA (miRNA) gene alleles. These genetic variations significantly alter white blood cell (WBC) counts in infected cows, impacting disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs crucial in cellular signaling, both in normal and pathological processes.
- Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is an oncogenic retrovirus causing persistent B-lymphocyte infections in cattle, zebu, and water buffalo.
- Ten BLV-encoded miRNAs (miRs-B) from five pre-miRNA genes are abundant in BLV-infected B-cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-encoded microRNA (miRNA) gene alleles and white blood cell (WBC) counts in infected cattle.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of multiple alleles for each BLV pre-miRNA gene (pre-miR-B) in infected cattle.
- Statistical evaluation of the correlation between specific pre-miR-B alleles and leukocyte (WBC) counts.
Main Results:
- Several alleles were identified for each pre-miR-B gene.
- Specific pre-miR-B alleles showed a highly significant association with either increased or decreased WBC counts in BLV-infected cows.
Conclusions:
- BLV-encoded miRNA genes exhibit allelic variations in infected cattle.
- These allelic differences in pre-miR-B genes are significantly linked to alterations in host leukocyte numbers, suggesting a role in BLV pathogenesis.
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