Analysis of the BimEL protein levels in cells expressing the miRNAs revealed that its expression was affected by several of the individual miRNAs with cell lines expressing miR-BART1, 3, 9, 11 and 12 all having decreased BimEL levels (Figure 6B and C).
EBV-encoded BART miRNAs target the 3'-UTRs of viral genes, such as LMP1, BALF5, and LMP2A genes, and negatively regulate expression of these viral genes.On the other hand, EBV miRNAs repress cellular proteins, which include p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis(PUMA), DICER1, and BIM. Table 2 EBV-derived miRNAs and their target genes.