Viruses prompt oncogenic transformation by genetically altering infected cells. Several recent studies have demonstrated that viruses alter the expression of microRNAs, non-coding RNA molecules that can block the expression of target genes. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation , Xiaoje Xu and colleagues at the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology report that miR-148a is repressed by hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) to promote growth and metastasis of liver cancer. In normal liver cells, miR-148a represses the expression of the oncogenic protein HPIP, but the hepatitis B virus prevents expression of miR-148a, leading to increased levels of HPIP and subsequent oncogenic transformation. This study demonstrates that a cancer-associated virus promotes carcinogenesis through direct manipulation of a microRNA.
TITLE:
Hepatitis B virus X protein represses miRNA-148a to enhance tumorigenesis
AUTHOR CONTACT:
Qinong Ye
Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, CHN
Phone: (8610)68180809; Fax: (8610)68248045; E-mail: yeqn66@yahoo.com
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/64265?key=267b145ad442aacf5c02
Journal of Clinical Investigation