Suppression of microRNA-silencing pathway by HIV-1 during virus replication

Science. 2007 Mar 16;315(5818):1579-82. doi: 10.1126/science.1136319. Epub 2007 Feb 22.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded noncoding RNAs of 19 to 25 nucleotides that function as gene regulators and as a host cell defense against both RNA and DNA viruses. We provide evidence for a physiological role of the miRNA-silencing machinery in controlling HIV-1 replication. Type III RNAses Dicer and Drosha, responsible for miRNA processing, inhibited virus replication both in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-1-infected donors and in latently infected cells. In turn, HIV-1 actively suppressed the expression of the polycistronic miRNA cluster miR-17/92. This suppression was found to be required for efficient viral replication and was dependent on the histone acetyltransferase Tat cofactor PCAF. Our results highlight the involvement of the miRNA-silencing pathway in HIV-1 replication and latency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Products, tat / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Histone Acetyltransferases / genetics
  • Histone Acetyltransferases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / enzymology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / virology*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Ribonuclease III / genetics
  • Ribonuclease III / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Virus Latency
  • Virus Replication*
  • p300-CBP Transcription Factors
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Gene Products, tat
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factors
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • Histone Acetyltransferases
  • p300-CBP Transcription Factors
  • p300-CBP-associated factor
  • DROSHA protein, human
  • Ribonuclease III