Role of EBV in microRNA dysregulation in Burkitt lymphoma.
Since its discovery as the first human tumor virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in the development of a wide range of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, the first being Burkitt lymphoma. However, the exact mechanism by which EBV promotes oncogenesis is still matter of discussion. A role in EBV-mediated transformation has been proposed for a novel described class of small non-coding RNAs, the microRNAs (miRNAs). EBV encodes viral miRNAs, through which it may interfere with the physiological regulation exterted by cellular miRNAs. In addition, EBV-coded proteins may also disturb the well-orchestrated mechanisms of regulation of cellular function. In this review, we will focus on the role of EBV in malignant transformation of Burkitt lymphoma, with a particular insight in the interplay between the virus and cellular miRNAs.
De Falco
Giulia
G
Department of Human Pathology and Oncology, University of Siena, Via delle Scotte, 6, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Antonicelli
Giuseppina
G
Onnis
Anna
A
Lazzi
Stefano
S
Bellan
Cristiana
C
Leoncini
Lorenzo
L
D000818:Animals; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000821:virology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*
D035683:MicroRNAs