Cytomegalovirus microRNAs.
The discovery that animals, plants and DNA viruses encode microRNAs (miRNAs) has transformed our understanding of the regulation of gene expression. miRNAs are ubiquitous small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, generally by binding to sites within the 3' untranslated regions (UTR) of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts. To date, over 250 viral miRNAs have been identified primarily in members of the herpesvirus family. These viral miRNAs target both viral and cellular genes in order to regulate viral replication, the establishment and maintenance of viral latency, cell survival, and innate and adaptive immunity. This review will focus on our current knowledge of the targets and functions of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) miRNAs and their functional equivalents in other herpesviruses.
VGTI, OHSU West Campus, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
Lauren
L
Hook
VGTI, OHSU West Campus, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
Meaghan
M
Hancock
VGTI, OHSU West Campus, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
Igor
I
Landais
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Robert
R
Grabski
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
William
W
Britt
VGTI, OHSU West Campus, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA. Electronic address: nelsonj@ohsu.edu.
Jay A
JA
Nelson
D000818:Animals; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication
D035683:MicroRNAs; D012367:RNA, Viral