Perturbation of biogenesis and targeting of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded miR-BART3 microRNA by adenosine-to-inosine editing

J Gen Virol. 2013 Dec;94(Pt 12):2739-2744. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.056226-0. Epub 2013 Sep 17.

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes at least 44 mature microRNAs (miRNAs), some of which are abundantly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. EBV-encoded miR-BART6 miRNA is known to undergo adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, which impacts on processing and function. Whether additional EBV miRNAs might be A-to-I edited remains to be determined. In this study, we have reported on A-to-I editing of EBV miR-BART3. The A-to-I editing enzyme was expressed abundantly in EBV-infected epithelial carcinoma cells. pri-miR-BART3 was found to be edited at four sites in these cells and in nasopharyngeal carcinoma samples. Whereas editing of the second site located within the seed region prevented the targeting of DICE1 mRNA, editing of the third site effectively crippled the biogenesis of mature miR-BART3. Thus, A-to-I editing perturbs biogenesis and targeting of miR-BART3 and may contribute to its differential expression and function in EBV-infected epithelial cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / genetics
  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / virology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / metabolism
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inosine / genetics
  • Inosine / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms
  • RNA Editing*
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • ARL2BP protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Transcription Factors
  • Inosine
  • Adenosine