Implications of non‐coding RNAs in viral infections

Abstract

The advances in RNA sequencing have unveiled various non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which modulate the gene expression. ncRNAs do not get translated into proteins. These include transfer RNAs, ribosomal RNAs, microRNA (miRNA), short interfering RNA, long non-coding RNA, piwi-interacting RNA and small nuclear RNA. ncRNAs regulate gene expression at various levels and control cellular machinery. miRNAs have been reported in plants, animals, several invertebrates and viruses. The miRNAs regulate the gene expression post-transcriptionally. Viral infection strongly influences the abundance and the distribution of miRNAs and other ncRNAs within the host cells. Viruses may encode their own miRNA, which help in the viral life cycle and other aspects of pathogenesis. Viruses are known to successfully modulate the expression pattern of ncRNAs. The ncRNA-based strategies adopted by viruses for their survival present a complex picture of host-virus interactions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Antiviral RNAi Response in Vector and Non-vector Cells against Orthobunyaviruses

“…In contrast, the antiviral activity of the piRNA pathway and the production of viral specific piRNA molecules have been restricted to mosquitoes, especially Aedes spp. Besides, interactions between the miRNA pathway and viruses have been reported in several organisms [65, 66], acting either pro- or antiviral. This can be by expression changes of vector/host miRNAs or viral encoded miRNAs which can either directly target the virus or have host/vector targets, resulting in changes of the cell environment.…”

MicroRNA expression profiling of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to peste des petits ruminants virus infection

“…MicroRNA are highly conserved small non-coding RNA of 19–24 nucleotides in length and play a critical role in many physiological and pathological processes such as development, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, immune response, and tumorigenesis in animals and plants [ 15 – 17 ]. Recently, a substantial number of research has implicated the role of miRNA in viral replication and has indicated they can inhibit or promote viral infection [ 18 , 19 ]. Virus infection can trigger the changes in the cellular miRNA profile, which can greatly influence viral life cycles, viral tropism, and the pathogenesis of viral diseases [ 20 – 23 ].…”

The expression profile of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell miRNA is altered by antibody-dependent enhancement of infection with dengue virus serotype 3

“…In addition, abnormal expressions of miRNAs results in dysregulated innate and adaptive immunity, which can cause autoimmune diseases and hematopoietic malignancies [ 18 , 19 ]. Moreover, accumulating research has indicated that virally encoded miRNAs can regulate viral or cellular gene expression and therefore contribute to replication and viral pathogenesis [ 20 , 21 ]. Thus, depicting the emerging roles of cellular and virus-encoded miRNAs in host-pathogen interactions may have huge significance in the development of new antiviral therapies and the manipulation of regulatory molecules.…”