MicroRNA no vírus Epstein-Barr: identificação, predição de alvos e rede de proteínas

Abstract

The microRNAs are of great interest in studies on viral infections. In the context of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), they act as important regulators of the expression of viral and cellular genes, facilitating viral persistence and oncogenesis. The present work aims to identify viral microRNAs, their target mRNAs and the essential target proteins specifically for Human gammaherpesvirus 4 tipo 2. First, we used the StructRNAfinder and IntaRNA programs to perform the identification tasks of miRNAs and target mRNAs, respectively. Subsequently, we created a network of proteins from the data obtained from the tool online virusmentha and visualized in the program cytoscape. In addition, we performed a topological analysis of the protein interaction network with the cytoscape tool. We found 55 viral miRNAs and 46 mRNAs and identified 10 proteins that were prominent in the protein interaction network. The BTRF1 and BSFR1 proteins exert a greater control in the protein network, although they are proteins of the integument with unknown functions. Thus, we suggest that the BTRF1 and BSRF1 proteins are potential targets for understanding and controlling EBV infections.