A mouse polyomavirus-encoded microRNA targets the cellular apoptosis pathway through Smad2 inhibition

作者：Sung Chang Kyoo^*; Yim Hyungshin; Andrews Erik; Benjamin Thomas L

来源：Virology, 2014, 468: 57-62.

DOI：10.1016/j.virol.2014.07.052

• Mouse polyomavirus
• MicroRNA
• Apoptosis
• Smad2 a cellular target
• Animal infection

Some viruses and most eukaryotic cells have microRNAs that regulate the expression of many genes. Although many viral miRNAs have been identified, only a few have been included in in vivo functional studies. Here we show that a Py-encoded miRNA downregulates the expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Smad2, resulting in the suppression of the apoptosis pathway. To study the Py miRNA in an in vivo context, a miRNA-deficient mutant virus was created on the background of the LID virus strain which establishes a rapid and lethal infection in newborn mice. Apoptosis analysis on kidney tissues indicates that the pro-apoptotic pathway is targeted in the infected host as well. Suppression of apoptosis through targeting of Smad2 by the Py miRNA is expected to synergize with anti-apoptotic effects previously attributed to the polyoma tumor antigens in support of virus replication in the natural host.

• 出版日期2014-11