Proteomic screening of human targets of viral microRNAs reveals functions associated with immune evasion and angiogenesis

PLoS Pathog. 2013;9(9):e1003584. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003584. Epub 2013 Sep 5.

Abstract

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is caused by infection with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). The virus expresses unique microRNAs (miRNAs), but the targets and functions of these miRNAs are not completely understood. In order to identify human targets of viral miRNAs, we measured protein expression changes caused by multiple KSHV miRNAs using pulsed stable labeling with amino acids in cell culture (pSILAC) in primary endothelial cells. This led to the identification of multiple human genes that are repressed at the protein level, but not at the miRNA level. Further analysis also identified that KSHV miRNAs can modulate activity or expression of upstream regulatory factors, resulting in suppressed activation of a protein involved in leukocyte recruitment (ICAM1) following lysophosphatidic acid treatment, as well as up-regulation of a pro-angiogenic protein (HIF1α), and up-regulation of a protein involved in stimulating angiogenesis (HMOX1). This study aids in our understanding of miRNA mechanisms of repression and miRNA contributions to viral pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • HEK293 Cells
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / metabolism*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / virology
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / genetics
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / metabolism*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / virology
  • Tumor Escape*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • RNA, Viral