Involvement of EBV-encoded BART-miRNAs and Dysregulated Cellular miRNAs in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Genesis

Abstract

The definite molecular mechanisms underlying the genesis of nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) remainto be completely elucidated. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs which are implicated in cell proliferation,apoptosis, and even carcinogenesis through negatively regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. EBVwas the first human virus found to express miRNAs. EBV-encoded BART-miRNAs and dysregulated cellularmiRNAs are involved in carcinogenesis of NPC by interfering in the expression of viral and host cell genes relatedto immune responses and perturbing signal pathways of proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis and evenradio-chemo-therapy sensitivity. Additional studies on the roles of EBV-encoded miRNAs and cellular miRNAswill provide new insights concerning the complicated gene regulated network and shed light on novel strategiesfor the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of NPC.