Virus Long Noncoding RNAs Found to Mimic Human RNAs and Hijack Cellular Functions
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 05, 2025 34 minutes ago
Medical News: Mysterious Viral RNAs Imitate Human Molecules to Control Our Cells
In a remarkable scientific breakthrough, researchers from Hunan University and Guangzhou Medical University in China have identified over 5,000 previously unknown viral long noncoding RNAs (vlncRNAs) that not only help viruses survive but may also hijack the body’s own cellular machinery by mimicking human RNA structures. This
Medical News report explores how these viral RNAs are now believed to copy the shape of human RNA molecules called lncRNAs, interfering with crucial regulatory processes inside our cells.
New study finds viral RNAs can structurally mimic human RNAs to manipulate host cells and promote infection
What Are lncRNAs and Why Should We Care About Viral Copies
Long noncoding RNAs, or lncRNAs, are special genetic messages that don’t make proteins but help control how our genes behave. In humans, they regulate cell growth, gene expression, and even immune responses. The new study reveals that viruses can also produce their own versions—vlncRNAs—which may resemble human lncRNAs in shape, not in genetic sequence. These imitations can interfere with normal cellular function, especially by blocking or "sponging" microRNAs (miRNAs), which are another type of genetic regulator.
Thousands of Viral RNAs Detected Using Advanced Sequencing
Using third-generation sequencing techniques, the scientists analyzed 870 samples from 25 viruses. They discovered 5,053 novel vlncRNAs, mostly from DNA viruses like monkeypox and herpesviruses. Only two of these were confirmed through lab experiments in cells infected with influenza and vesicular stomatitis virus, but these showed significant expression during viral infections.
Viruses Mimic Host RNAs in Shape Not Sequence
The most shocking finding was that 772 of the new vlncRNAs from 15 human-infecting viruses had structural similarities to human lncRNAs, even though their genetic sequences were different. These viral RNAs were able to bind the same miRNAs as their human counterparts, effectively acting as decoys. For example, a specific vlncRNA from the vaccinia virus mimicked a human lncRNA and bound to the same 48–51 miRNAs.
Potential for Therapeutic Targeting and Immune Disruption
Many of the human-targeted miRNAs regulate vital functions like cell growth, translation, and immune response. By absorbing or sponging up these miRNAs, the vlncRNAs may help viruses weaken host defenses, promote their replication, and prolong infections. This mimicry mechanism could offer new insights into how viruses evade the immune system and may one day be targeted in antiviral therapies using RNA-based drugs or synthetic miRNA mimics.
RNA Splicing Adds Even More Complexity
The researchers also found that vlncRNAs go through a process called alternative splicing, which allows a single RNA to have multiple versions or “isofo
rms.” Over 80% of these splicing events involved changes at the very beginning of the RNA, a trait also seen in human and mouse RNAs. This means viruses may fine-tune their vlncRNAs for different roles during infections.
A New Database for Further Research
To help other scientists, the team developed a new free public database called vlncRNAbase, which stores all the newly discovered viral RNAs along with their expression data and interactions. This database will be a valuable resource for studying how viruses manipulate host cells using noncoding RNA strategies.
These findings open new doors in understanding how viruses evolve and function, showing that even without making proteins, viral RNAs can play powerful roles in controlling our biology. The discovery of structural mimicry may lead to future therapies that block these hidden viral tools and restore normal cellular defenses.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Briefings in Bioinformatics.
https://academic.oup.com/bib/article/26/6/bbaf640/8362139
For the latest on viral long noncoding RNAs (vlncRNAs), keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
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