The Emerging Roles of Alternative Splicing in Human Oncovirus Infection

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Virology
• Genetics

Background:

• Alternative splicing (AS) significantly expands proteome diversity.
• Oncogenic viruses can exploit host AS machinery for replication and to promote viral persistence and tumor development.
• Viruses can target host signaling pathways, influencing viral infection and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how oncogenic viruses utilize the host's AS system.
• To explore the reciprocal modulation of viral infection by the host's AS system.
• To summarize the role of noncoding RNAs in AS during tumor virus infections.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of current research on virus-host interactions.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying alternative splicing manipulation by oncogenic viruses.
• Investigation into the role of noncoding RNAs in alternative splicing during viral infections.

Main Results:

• Oncogenic viruses hijack host AS to manipulate cellular processes and facilitate their life cycle.
• Host AS machinery can influence viral replication and infection outcomes.
• Noncoding RNAs play an underappreciated role in AS following oncogenic virus infection.

Conclusions:

• The bidirectional interplay between oncogenic viruses and host AS provides critical insights into virus-host interactions.
• Targeting virus-hijacked AS pathways presents novel therapeutic opportunities for oncogenic viral infections.
• Further research into noncoding RNA involvement in AS during viral infections is warranted.