Discovery of Herpes B Virus-Encoded MicroRNAs

Discovery of herpes B virus-encoded microRNAs.

Herpes B virus (BV) naturally infects macaque monkeys and is a close relative of herpes simplex virus. BV can zoonotically infect humans to cause a rapidly ascending encephalitis with approximately 80% mortality. Therefore, BV is a serious danger to those who come into contact with these monkeys or their tissues and cells. MicroRNAs are regulators of gene expression, and there have been reports...

Prediction and identification of herpes simplex virus 1-encoded microRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression in higher eukaryotes. Recently, miRNAs have been identified from viruses with double-stranded DNA genomes. To attempt to identify miRNAs encoded by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), we applied a computational method to screen the complete genome of HSV-1 for sequences that adopt an extended stem-loop structure and display a pattern of nucle...

Simplex Virus 1-Encoded MicroRNAs Prediction and Identification of Herpes

Identification of virus-encoded microRNAs.

RNA silencing processes are guided by small RNAs that are derived from double-stranded RNA. To probe for function of RNA silencing during infection of human cells by a DNA virus, we recorded the small RNA profile of cells infected by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We show that EBV expresses several microRNA (miRNA) genes. Given that miRNAs function in RNA silencing pathways either by targeting messe...

Virus-encoded microRNAs: future therapeutic targets?

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) is a remarkable breakthrough in the field of molecular genetics, as miRNAs are key actors which regulate gene expression in diverse cellular processes from unicellular yeast to human. The recent discovery of virus-encoded miRNAs indicates that viruses also use this fundamental mode of gene regulation. Research into viral miRNAs function demonstrates that some...