An insect virus-encoded microRNA regulates viral replication.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small ( approximately 22 nucleotides) noncoding RNAs which play an essential role in gene regulation and affect a wide range of processes, including development, differentiation, and oncogenesis. Here we report the identification of the first miRNA from an insect virus, derived from the major capsid protein (MCP) gene in Heliothis virescens ascovirus (HvAV) (HvAV-miR-1). Although MCP was abundantly expressed at all time points 24 h after infection, HvAV-miR-1 expression was strictly regulated and specifically detected from 96 h postinfection. HvAV-miR-1 expression coincided with a marked reduction of the expression of HvAV DNA polymerase I, which is a predicted target. Ectopic expression of full-length and truncated versions of MCP retaining the miRNA sequence signif

SUBMITTER: Hussain M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2546896 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature