Liver-specific microRNA miR-122 enhances the replication of hepatitis C virus in nonhepatic cells.
The liver-specific microRNA miR-122 has been shown to be required for the replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the hepatoma cell line Huh7. The aim of this study was to test if HCV replication can be modulated by exogenously expressed miR-122 in human embryonic kidney epithelial cells (HEK-293). Our results demonstrate that miR-122 enhances the colony formation efficiency of the HCV replicon and increases the steady-state level of HCV RNA in HEK-293 cells. Therefore, we conclude that although miR-122 is not absolutely required, it greatly enhances HCV replication in nonhepatic cells.
Chang
Jinhong
J
Drexel Institute for Biotechnology and Virology Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18902, USA. jinhong.chang@drexelmed.edu
Guo
Ju-Tao
JT
Jiang
Dong
D
Guo
Haitao
H
Taylor
John M
JM
Block
Timothy M
TM
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006367:HeLa Cells; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014162:Transfection; D014779:Virus Replication
D035683:MicroRNAs; D012367:RNA, Viral