Let-7b is a novel regulator of hepatitis C virus replication

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2012 Aug;69(15):2621-33. doi: 10.1007/s00018-012-0940-6. Epub 2012 Mar 6.

Abstract

The non-coding microRNA (miRNA) is involved in the regulation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and offers an alternative target for developing anti-HCV agent. In this study, we aim to identify novel cellular miRNAs that directly target the HCV genome with anti-HCV therapeutic potential. Bioinformatic analyses were performed to unveil liver-abundant miRNAs with predicted target sequences on HCV genome. Various cell-based systems confirmed that let-7b plays a negative role in HCV expression. In particular, let-7b suppressed HCV replicon activity and down-regulated HCV accumulation leading to reduced infectivity of HCVcc. Mutational analysis identified let-7b binding sites at the coding sequences of NS5B and 5'-UTR of HCV genome that were conserved among various HCV genotypes. We further demonstrated that the underlying mechanism for let-7b-mediated suppression of HCV RNA accumulation was not dependent on inhibition of HCV translation. Let-7b and IFNα-2a also elicited a synergistic inhibitory effect on HCV infection. Together, let-7b represents a novel cellular miRNA that targets the HCV genome and elicits anti-HCV activity. This study thereby sheds new insight into understanding the role of host miRNAs in HCV pathogenesis and to developing a potential anti-HCV therapeutic strategy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5' Untranslated Regions
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Computational Biology
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Genome, Viral
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / pharmacology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / virology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Mutagenesis
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Replicon
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / genetics

Substances

  • 5' Untranslated Regions
  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA Primers
  • Interferon-alpha
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • mirnlet7 microRNA, human
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus
  • peginterferon alfa-2a