Your browser version may not work well with NCBI's Web applications. More information here...
1: Cell Microbiol. 2007 Dec;9(12):2784-94. Epub 2007 Oct 18.
Related Articles, Links
Click here to read
Host-virus genome interactions: macro roles for microRNAs.

Scaria V, Hariharan M, Pillai B, Maiti S, Brahmachari SK.

GN Ramachandran Knowledge Center for Genome Informatics, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, CSIR, Mall Road, Delhi 110 007, India.

MicroRNAs are recently discovered small endogenous non-coding RNAs. These small RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotide length are crucial post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in a wide spectrum of normal and abnormal biological processes including antiviral defence, oncogenesis and development in higher eukaryotes. Of late, a number of viruses have also been shown to encode for microRNAs. The host- and virus-encoded microRNAs and their targets together thus form a novel regulatory layer of genetic interactions between the host and the virus. Recent reports have thrown light on this new regulatory layer. A clear understanding of the cross-talk between the host and virus would not only enable us to understand the molecular basis of viral pathogenesis, but also enable us to develop better therapeutic strategies. This review discusses the intricacies of host-virus cross-talk mediated by microRNAs. Recent trends in this field and the challenges that need to be addressed are also discussed.

Publication Types:
PMID: 17944962 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]