title: Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) microRNA K12-1 functions as an oncogene by activating NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 signaling.
abstract: The human oncogenic virus Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) is the most common cause of malignancies among AIDS patients. KSHV possesses over hundred genes, including 25 microRNAs (miRNAs). The roles of these miRNAs and many other viral genes in KSHV biology and pathogenesis remain largely unknown. Accordingly, the molecular mechanisms by which KSHV induces tumorigenesis are still poorly defined. Here, we identify KSHV miRNA K12-1 (miR-K12-1) as a novel viral oncogene by activating two important transcription factors, nuclear factor-κb (NF-κB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Interestingly, miR-K12-1 activates STAT3 indirectly through inducing NF-κB activation and NF-κB-dependent expression of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) by repressing the expression of the NF-κB inhibitor IκBα. Accordingly, expression of ectopic IκBα or knockdown of NF-κB RelA, IL-6 or STAT3 prevents expression of cell growth genes and suppresses the oncogenicities of both miR-K12-1 and KSHV. These data identify miR-K12-1/NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 as a novel oncogenic signaling underlying KSHV tumorigenesis. These data also provide the first evidence showing that IL-6/STAT3 signaling acts as an essential mediator of NF-κB oncogenic actions. These findings significantly improve our understanding of KSHV pathogenesis and oncogenic interaction between NF-κB and STAT3.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Mingqing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Zhaoxia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006367:HeLa Cells; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009857:Oncogenes; D034622:RNA Interference; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D035683:MicroRNAs; D016328:NF-kappa B; C000606204:NFKBIA protein, human; C498143:RELA protein, human; D012367:RNA, Viral; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D000072000:NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha
keywords: IL-6; KSHV/HHV8; NF-κB; STAT3; miR-K12-1