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Discoveries and functions of virus-encoded MicroRNAs

  • Review
  • Molecular Biology
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

Virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) are a new kind of miRNAs that regulate the expression of target gene in host cells or viruses through inducing cleavage of mRNA, repressing translation, etc., and change the processes of host cells or replicate viruses to escape or resist immune surveillance of host and protect viruses themselves. It has become a hot topic to discover viral genes encoding miRNAs and their target genes, and to identify their functions. This review provides background information on the history of virally encoded miRNAs including their genomic distribution, functions and mechanisms. In addition, we discuss the similarities and differences between virus- and host-encoded miRNAs, the future directions of researches in viral miRNAs and their applications in diseases control and therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences and Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control of the Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-Sen (Zhongshan) University, Guangzhou, 510275, China

    Jia WanZhong, Li Zhi & Lun ZhaoRong

  2. Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, China

    Jia WanZhong

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  1. Jia WanZhong
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  2. Li Zhi
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  3. Lun ZhaoRong
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Correspondence to Lun ZhaoRong.

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Supported in part by the Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. IRT0447)

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Jia, W., Li, Z. & Lun, Z. Discoveries and functions of virus-encoded MicroRNAs. Chin. Sci. Bull. 53, 169–177 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-008-0106-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-008-0106-y

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