[MiR373 and miR542-5p regulate the replication of enterovirus 71 in rhabdomyosarcoma cells].

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in infection and replication of virus in host cells. To identify cellular miRNAs involved in the host response to enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, we examined miRNAs effects on the replication of EV71 in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. We constructed target gene of miRNAs screening system. 3'untranslated region (UTR) dual luciferase reporter analysis was used to identify putative miRNA targets in the EV71 virus genome. First, 13 segments of EV71 virus genomes were inserted to the pMIR vector and the luciferase expression were assayed to identify the target gene of putative miRNA. The reporter gene expression of the cells transfected with the vector containing 5'-UTR was significantly downregulated. Then we screened the miRNAs that may target to 5'-UTR using online analysis programs. Furthermore, Western blotting and real-time PCR test were performed to investigate the effect of miRNAs on viral replication. The study showed that miR373 and miR542-5p could suppress the replication of EV71 virus through binding to the 5'-UTR gene. Cellular miRNAs could regulate the replication of EV71 virus in host cells, and our paper should report the role of miR373 and miR542-5p in this regulation for the first time. Our findings supported the notion that the cellular miRNAs might be essential in the host-pathogen interactions.