How a Human MicroRNA Affects HIV-1 Replication
Author Information
Author(s): Ahluwalia Jasmine K, Khan Sohrab Zafar, Soni Kartik, Rawat Pratima, Gupta Ankit, Hariharan Manoj, Scaria Vinod, Lalwani Mukesh, Pillai Beena, Mitra Debashis, Brahmachari Samir K
Primary Institution: Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB)
Hypothesis
Can the human microRNA hsa-miR-29a interfere with HIV-1 replication by targeting the nef gene?
Conclusion
The study shows that hsa-miR-29a downregulates the Nef protein and interferes with HIV-1 replication.
Supporting Evidence
- hsa-miR-29a and 29b were found to be expressed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
- Luciferase activity from the nef target region showed a three-fold reduction in expression when hsa-miR-29a was present.
- Over-expression of hsa-miR-29a significantly inhibited both Nef expression and virus production.
- Downregulation of hsa-miR-29a led to increased HIV-1 replication.
Takeaway
A tiny molecule in our cells called hsa-miR-29a can help stop the HIV virus from making more copies of itself.
Methodology
The researchers used luciferase reporter assays and transfected cells with miRNA constructs to measure the effects on Nef protein expression and HIV-1 replication.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on specific cell lines and may not fully represent in vivo conditions.
Participant Demographics
The study involved human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.016
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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