Abstract
Target identification is highly instructive in defining the biological roles of microRNAs. However, little is known about other small noncoding RNAs; for example, tRNA-derived RNA Fragments (tRFs). Some tRFs exhibit a gene-silencing mechanism distinctly different from that of typical microRNAs. We recently demonstrated that a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced tRF, called tRF5-GluCTC, promotes RSV replication. RSV is the single most important cause of lower respiratory tract infection in children. By using biochemical screening and bioinformatics analyses, we have identified apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (APOER2) as a target of tRF5-GluCTC. The 3′-portion of tRF5-GluCTC recognizes a target site in the 3′-untranslated region of APOER2 and suppresses its expression. We have also discovered that APOER2 is an anti-RSV protein whose suppression by tRF5-GluCTC promotes RSV replication. Our report represents the first identification of a natural target of a tRF and illustrates how a virus utilizes a host tRF to control a host gene to favor its replication.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1622-1629 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Molecular Therapy |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2015 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery