Enhanced gene silencing of HIV-1 specific siRNA using microRNA designed hairpins

Nucleic Acids Res. 2004 Feb 13;32(3):1154-8. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkh278. Print 2004.

Abstract

Post-transcriptional inhibition of HIV-1 replication can be achieved by RNA interference (RNAi). The cellular expression of short interfering RNA (siRNA) or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) homologous to regions of the HIV-1 genome decreases viral replication by the selective degradation of targeted RNA. Here, we demonstrate that another class of noncoding regulatory RNA, termed microRNA (miRNA), can be used to deliver antiviral RNAi. By incorporating sequences encoding siRNA targeting the HIV-1 transactivator protein tat into a human miR-30 pre-microRNA (pre-miRNA) backbone, we were able to express tat siRNA in cells. The tat siRNA delivered as pre-miRNA precursor was 80% more effective in reducing HIV-1 p24 antigen production than tat siRNA expressed as conventional shRNA. Our results confirm the utility of expressing HIV-1 specific siRNA through a miR-30 precursor stem-loop structure and suggest that this strategy can be used to increase the antiviral potency of RNAi.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Gene Products, tat / genetics
  • HIV Core Protein p24 / biosynthesis
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / physiology
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / chemistry*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / chemistry*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Virus Replication
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • Gene Products, tat
  • HIV Core Protein p24
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA, Viral
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus