Down-regulation of a host microRNA by a Herpesvirus saimiri noncoding RNA

Science. 2010 Jun 18;328(5985):1563-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1187197.

Abstract

T cells transformed by Herpesvirus saimiri express seven viral U-rich noncoding RNAs of unknown function called HSURs. We noted that conserved sequences in HSURs 1 and 2 constitute potential binding sites for three host-cell microRNAs (miRNAs). Coimmunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that HSURs 1 and 2 interact with the predicted miRNAs in virally transformed T cells. The abundance of one of these miRNAs, miR-27, is dramatically lowered in transformed cells, with consequent effects on the expression of miR-27 target genes. Transient knockdown and ectopic expression of HSUR 1 demonstrate that it directs degradation of mature miR-27 in a sequence-specific and binding-dependent manner. This viral strategy illustrates use of a ncRNA to manipulate host-cell gene expression via the miRNA pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Pairing
  • Binding Sites
  • Callithrix
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cell Transformation, Viral
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Saimiriine / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • MicroRNAs / chemistry
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • RNA Stability*
  • RNA, Untranslated / chemistry
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism*
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes

Substances

  • MIRN27 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • RNA, Viral