Retroviral microRNAs

Curr Opin Virol. 2014 Aug:7:47-54. doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2014.03.013. Epub 2014 Apr 23.

Abstract

Eukaryotic cells and several DNA viruses encode miRNAs to regulate the expression of specific target genes. It has been controversial whether RNA viruses can encode such miRNAs as miRNA excision may lead to cleavage of the viral RNA genome. We will focus on the retrovirus family, HIV-1 in particular, and discuss the production of virus-encoded miRNAs and their putative function in the viral replication cycle. An intricate scenario of multi-layer virus-host interactions becomes apparent with small RNAs as the regulatory molecules.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Retroviridae / genetics*
  • Retroviridae / metabolism
  • Retroviridae Infections / virology
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Viral