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MicroRNA: implications in HIV, a brief overview

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 20–22 nucleotide length noncoding RNA molecules that represent key regulators of many normal cellular functions. miRNAs undergo two processing steps which transform a long primary transcript into the mature miRNA. Available literatures demonstrate the association between alterations in the expression of miRNAs and the progression of numerous human disorders. Even though significant advances have been made, many fundamental questions about their expression and function still remain unanswered. Identifying factors that block the negative action of drugs of abuse on the miRNAs could help in identifying new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we briefly discuss the importance of miRNAs on HIV, strategies used by virus to avoid the cells' antiviral miRNA defenses, and how HIV might control and regulate host cell genes by encoding viral miRNAs.

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Abbreviations

AATF:

Apoptosis-antagonizing transcription factor

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

CCR5:

C–C chemokine receptor type 5

CNS:

Central nervous system

CREB:

cAMP response element binding

DC-SIGN:

Dendritic cell-specific adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin

HAD:

HIV-associated dementia

HAND:

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

HDAC-1:

Histone deacetylase-1

HIV:

Human immune deficiency virus

HIVE:

HIV encephalitis

IFITM3:

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3

LTR:

Long terminal repeats

MCP-2:

Monocyte chemotactic protein-2

MDD:

Major depressive disorder

MDDC:

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells

MEF2C:

Myocyte enhancer factor 2C

MeCP2:

Methyl CpG-binding protein-2

miRNA:

MicroRNA

mRNA:

Messenger RNA

nt:

Nucleotide

PBMC:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells

PCAF:

P300/CBP-associated factor

PFV-1:

Primate foamy virus type-1

RISC:

RNA-induced silencing complex

SNAP25:

Synaptosomal-associated protein 25

sTNFR1A:

Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor

TLR:

Toll-like receptor

TORC:

Transducer of regulated CREB

TRBP:

TAR binding protein

UTR:

Untranslated region

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (1R01MH085259, RO1-DA025576, RO1-DA021537, and RO1-DA027049) to Dr. Madhavan Nair.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, HLS-1, 418A 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Sudheesh Pilakka-Kanthikeel, Zainulabedin M. Saiyed, Jessica Napuri & Madhavan P. N. Nair

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  1. Sudheesh Pilakka-Kanthikeel
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  2. Zainulabedin M. Saiyed
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  3. Jessica Napuri
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  4. Madhavan P. N. Nair
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Correspondence to Madhavan P. N. Nair.

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Pilakka-Kanthikeel, S., Saiyed, Z.M., Napuri, J. et al. MicroRNA: implications in HIV, a brief overview. J. Neurovirol. 17, 416–423 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13365-011-0046-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13365-011-0046-1

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