MicroRNAs in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection.

Initially reported for Caenorhabditis elegans, microRNA (miRNA) has been shown to regulate gene expression in plants, flies, and mammals . Here, we report on our approaches to investigate the role of miRNAs in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. Using computer-directed foldings, we first identify potential sequences in HIV-1 that putatively encode miRNAs. Subsequently, we use Northern blotting of RNAs isolated from HIV-infected cells to confirm expression of predicted miRNA sequences. Finally, we use a scanning algorithm to search 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of human messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the attempt to predict potential sites targeted by HIV-1 miRNAs.