Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Nov 2022)

Identification and characterization of human cytomegalovirus-encoded circular RNAs

  • Jingui Deng,
  • Jingui Deng,
  • Qing Wang,
  • Jing Zhang,
  • Jing Zhang,
  • Jing Zhang,
  • Yanping Ma,
  • Yanping Ma,
  • Ying Qi,
  • Ying Qi,
  • Ying Qi,
  • Zhongyang Liu,
  • Zhongyang Liu,
  • Zhongyang Liu,
  • Yibo Li,
  • Yibo Li,
  • Qiang Ruan,
  • Qiang Ruan,
  • Qiang Ruan,
  • Yujing Huang,
  • Yujing Huang,
  • Yujing Huang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.980974
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Circular RNA (circRNA) exists extensively and plays essential roles in serving as microRNA (miRNA) or protein sponges and protein scaffolding in many organisms. However, the profiles and potential functions of the virus-encoded circRNA, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded circular RNAs, remain unclear. In the present study, HCMV-encoded circRNAs profile in human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF) with lytic infection was investigated using RNA deep sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. In total, 629 HCMV-encoded circRNAs were identified with various expression patterns in our results. The full sequences and alternative splicings of circUS12, circUL55, and circUL89 were verified by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) with divergent primers followed and Sanger sequencing. Transcription of circUL89 was validated by Northern blot. The HCMV-encoded circRNA-miRNA network analyses revealed the potential function of HCMV-encoded circRNAs during HCMV infection in HELFs. Collectively, HCMV infection deduced abundant HCMV-associated circRNAs during infection, and the HCMV-encoded circRNAs might play important roles in benefiting HCMV infection.

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