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MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
Published on: February 6, 2017
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Cellular miRNAs and viruses: trends in miRNA sequestering and target de-repression
Bonita H Powell1,2, Kenneth W Witwer2,3, Mollie K Meffert1,4
1Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Journal of Virology
|June 18, 2025
Summary
Host microRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate viral genes and impact host cells. New methods reveal viruses sequester host miRNAs, leading to de-repression of host genes and potential disease, offering therapeutic insights.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Viral infections alter host gene regulation, contributing to diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.
- Host microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to target viral genes, influencing viral replication and pathogenesis.
- Understanding these viral:host gene interactions is crucial for disease mitigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanism of host miRNA sequestration by viral transcripts.
- To highlight the role of Argonaute cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (AGO-CLIP) + ligation with RNA sequencing in identifying miRNA:viral target interactions.
- To explore the biological impacts of host miRNA sequestration and target de-repression.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on viral:host miRNA interactions.
- Focus on advanced techniques like AGO-CLIP + ligation coupled with RNA sequencing.
- Examination of viruses such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Main Results:
- Viral transcripts can sequester host miRNAs, impacting host gene expression.
- miRNA binding to viral RNA can lead to de-repression of host target genes.
- This sequestration mechanism has significant downstream biological consequences.
Conclusions:
- Host miRNA sequestration by viruses is a critical mechanism with broad biological implications.
- Advanced techniques like AGO-CLIP + ligation are essential for global identification of these interactions.
- Understanding miRNA:viral target interactions and target de-repression may reveal novel antiviral therapeutic strategies for conditions like cancer and neurodegeneration.
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