In:
Current Drug Therapy, Bentham Science Publishers Ltd., Vol. 16, No. 4 ( 2021-11-30), p. 364-380
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease originating
from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Previous experimental studies indicated that during viral infections, viral miRNAs (vmiRNAs) played key roles in
pathogen-host interaction, immune escape, host cell death, and tumorigenesis. MiRNAs are small, single-stranded RNAs that exist in viruses as well as in animals. Thus, these molecules can play a
pivotal role in viral disease pathogenesis. Objective: Since no approved drugs or vaccines currently exist for SARS-CoV-2 and its pathogenic
mechanism is unknown, the present study aimed to explore and propose vmiRNA platforms as potential antiviral therapeutic agents against SARS-CoV-2. The development of antiviral drugs
to target vmiRNAs may result in the down-regulation of viral virulence genes expression and suppression of viral proliferation. Methods: In this study, to attain insight into the potential role of SARS-CoV-2-derived miRNAs in
viral infections, a set of computational methods was used to scan the SARS-CoV-2 genome, eventually predicting 13 potential candidate vmiRNAs. Furthermore, the potential genes were predicted
in the human hosts that were the target of these candidate vmiRNAs by applying the mirPath software. Results: This study proposed a theory indicating that the predicted vmiRNAs might have a plausible
role in altering human target gene expression, mainly contributing to a viral infectious state, inflammation, and immune system escape. These vmiRNAs might have therapeutic trends as antiviral
agents against COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: The findings offered a reference idea for a supplementary study on miRNA identification
as a drug target and revealed the necessity to increase the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 genome structure for a better combat against the virus.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1574-8855
DOI:
10.2174/1574885516666210719091422
Language:
English
Publisher:
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Publication Date:
2021
SSG:
15,3
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