Molecule of the month: HIV-1 protein Vpr and miRNA

miRNAs are a well-established RNA phenomenon. Previously, we analyzed the involvement of HIV-1 protein Tat in cellular gene networks and aspects of its interaction with miRNAs [1]. Here we mention an additional HIV-1 protein, HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr) that interacts with miRNAs and it is involved in gene expression networks. The manipulation of miRNA expression is anticipated to become important in the attack on disease. miRNAs are generally derived from non-coding portions of the human genome and are intricately involved in gene expression control [2]. Moreover, it is estimated that although 1% of human genes are miRNAs, these miRNAs are involved in the control of gene expression of 10% of all the genes [3].