1. An acutely and latently expressed herpes simplex virus 2 viral microRNA inhibits expression of ICP34.5, a viral neurovirulence factor
- Author
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Tang, Shuang, Bertke, Andrea S., Patel, Amita, Wang, Kening, Cohen, Jeffrey I., and Krause, Philip R.
- Subjects
Herpes simplex virus -- Genetic aspects ,Virulence (Microbiology) -- Research ,Messenger RNA -- Influence ,Gene expression -- Control ,Gene expression -- Health aspects ,Science and technology - Abstract
Latency-associated transcript (LAT) sequences regulate herpes simplex virus (HSV) latency and reactivation from sensory neurons. We found a HSV-2 LAT-related microRNA (miRNA) designated miR-I in transfected and infected cells in vitro and in acutely and latently infected ganglia of guinea pigs in vivo. miR-I is also expressed in human sacral dorsal root ganglia latently infected with HSV-2. miR-I is expressed under the LAT promoter in vivo in infected sensory ganglia. We also predicted and identified a HSV-1 LAT exon-2 viral miRNA in a location similar to miR-I, implying a conserved mechanism in these closely related viruses. In transfected and infected cells, miR-I reduces expression of ICP34.5, a key viral neurovirulence factor. We hypothesize that miR-I may modulate the outcome of viral infection in the peripheral nervous system by functioning as a molecular switch for ICP34.5 expression. HSV |latency-associated transcript | latency | reactivation | human
- Published
- 2008