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Updated: Oct 6, 2025

In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
10:27

In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions

Published on: October 21, 2022

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Competing endogenous RNA network mediated by circ_3205 in SARS-CoV-2 infected cells

Davide Barbagallo1, Concetta Ilenia Palermo2, Cristina Barbagallo3

  • 1Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Biology and Genetics Giovanni Sichel, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy. dbarbaga@unict.it.

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|January 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

A novel circular RNA (circRNA), circ_3205, synthesized by SARS-CoV-2, was identified in COVID-19 patients. This viral circRNA acts as a ceRNA, sponging miR-298 and upregulating KCNMB4 and PRKCE mRNA involved in immune response.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19.
  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators in various biological processes.
  • Understanding viral-host interactions at the molecular level is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize SARS-CoV-2-synthesized circRNAs.
  • To investigate the role of a specific viral circRNA, circ_3205, in host cells.
  • To explore the potential mechanism of circ_3205 as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA).

Main Methods:

  • Identification of circ_3205 using VirusCircBase.
  • Expression analysis of circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNA targets via real-time PCR in patient samples.
  • Prediction of circRNA-miRNA interactions using TarpMiR, ACT, and STarMir tools.
  • Analysis of biological processes and miRNA targets using DIANA miRPath v3.0.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 circ_3205 was exclusively detected in infected individuals and correlated positively with viral load and Spike (S) mRNA levels.
  • Human miR-298 was predicted to interact with circ_3205, targeting KCNMB4 and PRKCE mRNAs.
  • KCNMB4 and PRKCE mRNA levels were upregulated in positive samples and correlated with circ_3205 expression.

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 circ_3205 is synthesized upon host cell infection.
  • circ_3205 functions as a ceRNA, sequestering hsa-miR-298.
  • This mechanism contributes to the upregulation of KCNMB4 and PRKCE, potentially impacting blood coagulation and immune response in COVID-19 patients.
Keywords:
Coronavirus disease 2019Gene expression regulatory networkcircRNAmiRNA spongemicroRNA

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