Effect of the RNAi pathway on HIV-1 infection and replication

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Publication Type thesis
School or College School of Medicine
Department Pathology
Author Umuerri, Oluwatoroti Omowayenwa
Title Effect of the RNAi pathway on HIV-1 infection and replication
Date 2007-08
Description microRNA (miRNA) are 18-25 nucleotides small RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. They are expressed in many plants and animal species including humans. miRNAs are involved in the regulation of developmental timing, proliferation, apoptosis, signal transduction and differentiation. miRNAs and the small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediate RNA interference (RNAi) in cells although their biogenesis are different. Some viruses also encode their own miRNAs but the targets of many of the viral-encoded miRNAs are still largely unknown. miRNAs have recently been shown to regulate viral infections. The research described in this thesis aims at deciphering the influence of RNAi on HIV-1 infection and pathogenesis. In addition, we also examined how HIV infection may affect miRNA expression profiles in target cells. HIV-1 infection led to a differential miRNA expression profile compared to that of uninfected cells. A VPR mutant of HIV-1 also gave a different miRNA expression profile compared to the uninfected cells. This suggested that HIV-1 infection affects the cellular miRNA mechanism and that HIV-1 genes may exert different effects on RNAi. The impact of abrogating RNAi on HIV-1 infection was determined by downregulating Dicer, a critical component of the RNAi pathway. Transient Dicer knockdown did not have any noticeable effect on HIV-1.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Pathogenesis; Pathophysiology; Virus
Subject MESH HIV Infections; RNA; Proteins
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "Effect of the RNAi pathway on HIV-1 infection and replication." Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library. Print version of "Effect of the RNAi pathway on HIV-1 infection and replication.." available at J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collection. QR6.5 2007 .U48.
Rights Management © Oluwatoroti Omowayewa Umuerri.
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 975,803 bytes
Identifier undthes,4801
Source Original: University of Utah Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library (no longer available).
Master File Extent 975,833 bytes
ARK ark:/87278/s62f7q8j
Setname ir_etd
ID 191125
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s62f7q8j