Regulatory Role of Host MicroRNAs in Flaviviruses Infection

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA that affect mRNA abundance or translation efficiency by binding to the 3′UTR of the mRNA of the target gene, thereby participating in multiple biological processes, including viral infection. Flavivirus genus consists of small, positive-stranded, single-stranded RNA viruses transmitted by arthropods, especially mosquitoes and ticks. The genus contains several globally significant human/animal pathogens, such as Dengue virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Zika virus, Yellow fever virus, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, and Tembusu virus. After flavivirus invades, the expression of host miRNA changes, exerting the immune escape mechanism to create an environment conducive to its survival, and the altered miRNA in turn affects the life cycle of the virus. Accumulated evidence suggests that host miRNAs influence flavivirus replication and host–virus interactions through direct binding of viral genomes or through virus-mediated host transcriptome changes. Furthermore, miRNA can also interweave with other non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNA and circular RNA, to form an interaction network to regulate viral replication. A variety of non-coding RNAs produced by the virus itself exert similar function by interacting with cellular RNA and viral RNA. Understanding the interaction sites between non-coding RNA, especially miRNA, and virus/host genes will help us to find targets for antiviral drugs and viral therapy.

MicroRNA Expression Prior to Biting in a Vector Mosquito Anticipates Physiological Processes Related to Energy Utilization, Reproduction and Immunity

“…miR-92a is also less abundant in biting Pipiens relative to non-biting Molestus ( Table 1 ). In addition to suppressing the translation of endogenous mRNA transcripts, miRNAs can directly bind to viral genomes and inhibit viral replication [ 65 ]. Furthermore, Yen et al [ 47 ] used computational analyses to predict that miR-92a in A. aegypti binds to the positive-sense genomic viral RNA encoding the non-structural protein 5 (NS-5) of dengue virus I.…”

The Role of Noncoding RNA in the Transmission and Pathogenicity of Flaviviruses

“…Host- and vector-derived ncRNAs also exert regulatory control over viral infections [ 106 ]. Certain miRNAs modulate viral replication by directly targeting viral genomic RNAs.…”

Bioinformatics Analysis of Novel Targets for Treating Cervical Cancer by Immunotherapy Based on Immune Escape

“…As a type of small noncoding RNA, miRNAs can affect the expression of target genes involved in many BPs through target gene 3' UTR binding. After the viral invasion, the expression of host miRNAs changes, leading to immune escape and creating an environment that is conducive to virus survival (77). In this study, we identified 12 miRNAs that simultaneously targeted more than two hub genes and lncRNAs that targeted the corresponding miRNAs.…”