MicroRNA and Viral Infection / 病毒学报

ABSTRACT

MicroRNA (miRNA) are small non-coding molecules of ribonucleic acid. They are about 22 nucleotides in length, single-stranded, and mediate post-translational regulation by the repression or degradation of messenger RNA(mRNA). miRNA play a key part in the proliferation, differentiation and death of cells. Viral infection is one of the most common causes of human disease. Some studies have found that miRNA has a very close relationship with viral infection, which has an effect on viral replication, the immune response and antiviral immunity. Use of miRNA may become the cornerstone of new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of viral infection. This article summarizes the progress of research into miRNA and viral infection.