# Long Non-Coding RNA Encoded by Infectious Bronchitis Virus Facilitates Viral Replication via Direct Interaction with G3BP2 and Expression Regulation of a Novel Host MicroRNA

## TL;DR

This study shows how a virus uses a long non-coding RNA to interact with a host protein and regulate a microRNA, helping the virus replicate more effectively.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel host miRNA and demonstrates how IBV-lncRNA interacts with G3BP2 to facilitate viral replication.

## Key findings

- IBV-lncRNA interacts with the host protein G3BP2 to support viral replication.
- A novel host miRNA, novel-340, targets G3BP2's 3′-UTR and downregulates its expression.
- The IBV-lncRNA/novel-340/G3BP2 network plays a role in regulating IBV replication.

## Abstract

Virus-encoded long non-coding RNA and virus-induced host microRNA (miRNA) play significant roles in the viral life cycle. In this study, we identified a host protein, G3BP2, that specifically interacts with the long non-coding RNA encoded by the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) (IBV-lncRNA) and a novel host miRNA (novel-340) that targets the 3′-untranslated region of G3BP2 in IBV-infected H1299 cells. We discovered that IBV-lncRNA can facilitate IBV replication through direct interaction with G3BP2 and regulation of the expression of novel-340. Our findings offer valuable insights into the biological functions of IBV-lncRNA.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) encoded by viruses play crucial roles in viral infection, pathogenesis processes, the interaction between viruses and hosts, and immune escape. Herein, by employing RNA pull-down, mass spectrometry technology, and RNA immunoprecipitation, we identified a host protein (G3BP2) that specifically interacts with the lncRNA encoded by the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Additionally, we identified a novel host miRNA (novel-340) in IBV-infected H1299 cells and further verified that novel-340 can target the 3′-UTR (untranslated region) of G3BP2 and downregulate its expression in a dose-dependent manner. We discovered that IBV-lncRNA may facilitate IBV replication in H1299 cells through direct interaction with G3BP2 and/or the regulation of the IBV-lncRNA/novel-340/G3BP2 interactive regulatory network. This work deepens the understanding of the biological function of IBV-lncRNA.