1. An acutely and latently expressed herpes simplex virus 2 viral microRNA inhibits expression of ICP34.5, a viral neurovirulence factor.
- Author
-
Shuang Tang, Bertke, Andrea S., Patel, Amita, Wang, Kening, Cohen, Jeffrey I., and Krause, Philip R.
- Subjects
HERPES simplex virus ,DISEASE risk factors ,GENOMES ,PHENOTYPES ,RNA ,SENSORY ganglia ,GENETIC code - 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-l 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-l, implying a conserved mechanism in these closely related viruses. In transfected and infected cells, miR-l reduces expression of ICP34.5, a key viral neurovirulence factor. We hypothesize that miR-l may modulate the outcome of viral infection in the peripheral nervous system by functioning as a molecular switch for ICP34.5 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF