All for one and one for all: herpesviral microRNAs close in on their prey.
Herpesviruses subvert immune cell activation by inhibiting NK cell receptor (NKG2D)-activating ligands such as MICB. A human cytomegalovirus microRNA was recently shown to repress MICB expression. Nachmani et al. (2009) extend this finding to two other human herpesviruses, providing evidence for a conserved functional role of viral microRNAs despite no sequence conservation among them.
Dölken
Lars
L
Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, Pettenkoferstrasse 9a, München D-80336, Germany.
Jonjic
Stipan
S
D020868:Gene Silencing; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C098080:MICB antigen; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012367:RNA, Viral