THE ROLE OF VIRAL NON-CODING RNAS IN IMMUNE EVASION AND HOST GENE REGULATION

Zainab Adenekan*

ABSTRACT

The varied threats viruses pose to host’s defensive mechanisms underscores the need for understanding its multifunctional approaches used in tricking the host. Among such approaches used by viruses is its derivation of non-coding RNAs which are critical in fine tuning host cellular defence organization and consequently regulating host gene processes. The v-ncRNAs non-immunogenicity feature provides an appealing medium for viral pathogens in the virus-host conflict. Viruses’ limited genome size functionally relays important genomic sequences which are necessary for their replication and survival. This review aims to examine DNA and RNA viruses’ shared strategy and the targeted host cell pathways crucial in facilitating v-ncRNAs prolonged life cycle.

Keywords: Immune evasion, miRNA mimicry, viral circRNA, viral non-coding RNA.