title: Role of Viral miRNAs and Epigenetic Modifications in Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Gastric Carcinogenesis.
abstract: MicroRNAs are short (21-23 nucleotides), noncoding RNAs that typically silence posttranscriptional gene expression through interaction with target messenger RNAs. Currently, miRNAs have been identified in almost all studied multicellular eukaryotes in the plant and animal kingdoms. Additionally, recent studies reported that miRNAs can also be encoded by certain single-cell eukaryotes and by viruses. The vast majority of viral miRNAs are encoded by the herpesviruses family. These DNA viruses including Epstein-Barr virus encode their own miRNAs and/or manipulate the expression of cellular miRNAs to facilitate respective infection cycles. Modulation of the control pathways of miRNAs expression is often involved in the promotion of tumorigenesis through a specific cascade of transduction signals. Notably, latent infection with Epstein-Barr virus is considered liable of causing several types of malignancies, including the majority of gastric carcinoma cases detected worldwide. In this review, we describe the role of the Epstein-Barr virus in gastric carcinogenesis, summarizing the functions of the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded viral proteins and related epigenetic alterations as well as the roles of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded and virally modulated cellular miRNAs.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giudice
authors.affiliation: Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS, Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Arena
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crispo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario Felice
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Tecce
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nocerino
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rotondo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: D'Ursi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scrima
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine II, University of Naples, 81055 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galdiero
authors.affiliation: Scientific Direction, National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciliberto
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi, 84081 Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capunzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine II, University of Naples, 81055 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Franci
authors.affiliation: Animal Facility Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Surgical Oncology, Hepatobiliary Unit, National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bimonte
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples "G. Pascale Foundation", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montella
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012367:RNA, Viral