Grey Finn, Nelson Jay
Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR 97006, USA.
J Clin Virol. 2008 Mar;41(3):186-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2007.11.024.
microRNAs are an extensive class of non-coding genes that regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional repression. These small RNAs are evolutionarily conserved and are likely to be a basic mechanism of gene regulation present within most eukaryotic organisms. Over 100 viral miRNAs have been identified to date through a combination of bioinformatics and cloning studies. In this review we discuss the use of bioinformatics for the identification of HCMV miRNAs and also for the discovery of potential target transcripts. Such studies will enable us to define the functional role of viral miRNAs and gain a better understanding of viral gene regulation.
微小RNA是一类广泛的非编码基因,通过转录后抑制来调节基因表达。这些小RNA在进化上是保守的,很可能是大多数真核生物中存在的一种基本基因调控机制。通过生物信息学和克隆研究相结合,迄今已鉴定出100多种病毒微小RNA。在本综述中,我们讨论了生物信息学在鉴定人巨细胞病毒微小RNA以及发现潜在靶转录本方面的应用。此类研究将使我们能够确定病毒微小RNA的功能作用,并更好地理解病毒基因调控。