Ovine herpesvirus-2-encoded microRNAs target virus genes involved in virus latency.

ABSTRACT: Herpesviruses encode microRNAs (miRNAs) that target both virus and host genes; however, their role in herpesvirus biology is understood poorly. We identified previously eight miRNAs encoded by ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), the causative agent of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), and have now investigated the role of these miRNAs in regulating expression of OvHV-2 genes that play important roles in virus biology. ORF20 (cell cycle inhibition), ORF50 (reactivation) and ORF73 (latency maintenance) each contain predicted targets for several OvHV-2 miRNAs. Co-transfection of miRNA mimics with luciferase reporter constructs containing the predicted targets showed the 5' UTRs of ORF20 and ORF73 contain functional targets for ovhv-miR-2 and ovhv2-miR-8, respectively, and the 3' UTR of ORF50 contain

SUBMITTER: Riaz A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4820034 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature