cis-Acting determinants of 7SL RNA packaging by HIV-1

Identification of a putative Gag binding site critical for feline immunodeficiency virus genomic RNA packaging

The retroviral Gag precursor plays a central role in the selection and packaging of viral genomic RNA (gRNA) by binding to virus-specific packaging signal(s) (psi or ψ). Previously, we mapped the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) ψ to two discontinuous regions within the 5' end of the gRNA that assumes a higher order structure harboring several structural motifs. To better define the region and structural elements important for gRNA packaging, we methodically investigated these FIV ψ sequences using genetic, biochemical, and structure-function relationship approaches. Our mutational analysis revealed that the unpaired U85CUG88 stretch within FIV ψ is crucial for gRNA encapsidation into nascent virions. High-throughput selective 2' hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (hSHAPE) performed on wild type (WT) and mutant FIV ψ sequences, with substitutions in the U85CUG88 stretch, revealed that these mutations had limited structural impact and maintained nucleotides 80-92 unpaired, as in the WT structure. Since these mutations dramatically affected packaging, our data suggest that the single-stranded U85CUG88 sequence is important during FIV RNA packaging. Filter-binding assays performed using purified FIV Pr50Gag on WT and mutant U85CUG88 ψ RNAs led to reduced levels of Pr50Gag binding to mutant U85CUG88 ψ RNAs, indicating that the U85CUG88 stretch is crucial for ψ RNA-Pr50Gag interactions. Delineating sequences important for FIV gRNA encapsidation should enhance our understanding of both gRNA packaging and virion assembly, making them potential targets for novel retroviral therapeutic interventions, as well as the development of FIV-based vectors for human gene therapy.

Noncanonical Functions and Cellular Dynamics of the Mammalian Signal Recognition Particle Components

The signal recognition particle (SRP) is a ribonucleoprotein complex fundamental for co-translational delivery of proteins to their proper membrane localization and secretory pathways. Literature of the past two decades has suggested new roles for individual SRP components, 7SL RNA and proteins SRP9, SRP14, SRP19, SRP54, SRP68 and SRP72, outside the SRP cycle. These noncanonical functions interconnect SRP with a multitude of cellular and molecular pathways, including virus-host interactions, stress response, transcriptional regulation and modulation of apoptosis in autoimmune diseases. Uncovered novel properties of the SRP components present a new perspective for the mammalian SRP as a biological modulator of multiple cellular processes. As a consequence of these findings, SRP components have been correlated with a growing list of diseases, such as cancer progression, myopathies and bone marrow genetic diseases, suggesting a potential for development of SRP-target therapies of each individual component. For the first time, here we present the current knowledge on the SRP noncanonical functions and raise the need of a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions between SRP and accessory cellular components. We examine diseases associated with SRP components and discuss the development and feasibility of therapeutics targeting individual SRP noncanonical functions.

Genetic and clinical predictors of CD4 lymphocyte recovery during suppressive antiretroviral therapy: Whole exome sequencing and antiretroviral therapy response phenotypes

Increase of peripheral blood CD4 lymphocyte counts is a key goal of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART); most, but not all, recipients respond adequately and promptly. A small number of studies have examined specific genetic factors associated with the extent of CD4 recovery. We report a genome-wide examination of factors that predict CD4 recovery in HIV-infected women. We identified women in in a cohort study who were on cART with viral load below 400 copies, and drew racially and ethnically matched samples of those with good CD4 response over 2 years or poor response. We analyzed the exomes of those women employing next generation sequencing for genes associated with CD4 recovery after controlling for non-genetic factors identified through forward stepwise selection as important. We studied 48 women with good CD4 recovery and 42 with poor CD4 recovery during virologically-suppressive cART. Stepwise logistic regression selected only age as a statistically significant (p<0.05) non-genetic predictor of response type (each additional year of age reduced the odds of good recovery by 11% (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.84–0.96, p = 0.0009). After adjustment for age and genomic estimates of race and ethnicity, 41 genes harbored variations associated with CD4 recovery group (p≤0.001); 5 of these have been previously reported to be associated with HIV infection, 4 genes would likely influence CD4 homeostasis, and 13 genes either had known functions or were members of product families that had functions for which interactions with HIV or effects on lymphocyte homeostasis were biologically plausible. Greater age was the strongest acquired factor that predicted poor CD4 cell recovery. Sequence variations spanning 41 genes were independently predictive of CD4 recovery. Many of these genes have functions that impact the cell cycle, apoptosis, lymphocyte migration, or have known interactions with HIV. These findings may help inform new hypotheses related to responses to HIV therapy and CD4 lymphocyte homeostasis.

Regulation of Antiviral Innate Immunity Through APOBEC Ribonucleoprotein Complexes

The DNA mutagenic enzyme known as APOBEC3G (A3G) plays a critical role in innate immunity to Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1 ). A3G is a zinc-dependent enzyme that mutates select deoxycytidines (dC) to deoxyuridine (dU) through deamination within nascent single stranded DNA (ssDNA) during HIV reverse transcription. This activity requires that the enzyme be delivered to viral replication complexes by redistributing from the cytoplasm of infected cells to budding virions through what appears to be an RNA-dependent process. Once inside infected cells, A3G must bind to nascent ssDNA reverse transcripts for dC to dU base modification gene editing. In this chapter we will discuss data indicating that ssDNA deaminase activity of A3G is regulated by RNA binding to A3G and ribonucleoprotein complex formation along with evidence suggesting that RNA-selective interactions with A3G are temporally and mechanistically important in this process.

The C-terminal p6 domain of the HIV-1 Pr55Gag precursor is required for specific binding to the genomic RNA

The Pr55^Gag precursor specifically selects the HIV-1 genomic RNA (gRNA) from a large excess of cellular and partially or fully spliced viral RNAs and drives the virus assembly at the plasma membrane. During these processes, the NC domain of Pr55^Gag interacts with the gRNA, while its C-terminal p6 domain binds cellular and viral factors and orchestrates viral particle release. Gag∆p6 is a truncated form of Pr55^Gag lacking the p6 domain usually used as a default surrogate for wild type Pr55^Gag for in vitro analysis. With recent advance in production of full-length recombinant Pr55^Gag, here, we tested whether the p6 domain also contributes to the RNA binding specificity of Pr55^Gag by systematically comparing binding of Pr55^Gag and Gag∆p6 to a panel of viral and cellular RNAs. Unexpectedly, our fluorescence data reveal that the p6 domain is absolutely required for specific binding of Pr55^Gag to the HIV-1 gRNA. Its deletion resulted not only in a decreased affinity for gRNA, but also in an increased affinity for spliced viral and cellular RNAs. In contrast Gag∆p6 displayed a similar affinity for all tested RNAs. Removal of the C-terminal His-tag from Pr55^Gag and Gag∆p6 uniformly increased the Kd values of the RNA-protein complexes by ~ 2.5 fold but did not affect the binding specificities of these proteins. Altogether, our results demonstrate a novel role of the p6 domain in the specificity of Pr55^Gag-RNA interactions, and strongly suggest that the p6 domain contributes to the discrimination of HIV-1 gRNA from cellular and spliced viral mRNAs, which is necessary for its selective encapsidation.

Noncoding RNAs in Retrovirus Replication

Although a limited percentage of the genome produces proteins, approximately 90% is transcribed, indicating important roles for noncoding RNA (ncRNA). It is now known that these ncRNAs have a multitude of cellular functions ranging from the regulation of gene expression to roles as structural elements in ribonucleoprotein complexes. ncRNA is also represented at nearly every step of viral life cycles. This chapter will focus on ncRNAs of both host and viral origin and their roles in retroviral life cycles. Cellular ncRNA represents a significant portion of material packaged into retroviral virions and includes transfer RNAs, 7SL RNA, U RNA, and vault RNA. Initially thought to be random packaging events, these host RNAs are now proposed to contribute to viral assembly and infectivity. Within the cell, long ncRNA and endogenous retroviruses have been found to regulate aspects of the retroviral life cycle in diverse ways. Additionally, the HIV-1 transactivating response element RNA is thought to impact viral infection beyond the well-characterized role as a transcription activator. RNA interference, thought to be an early version of the innate immune response to viral infection, can still be observed in plants and invertebrates today. The ability of retroviral infection to manipulate the host RNAi pathway is described here. Finally, RNA-based therapies, including gene editing approaches, are being explored as antiretroviral treatments and are discussed.

Recruitment of 7SL RNA to assembling HIV-1 virus-like particles

Retroviruses incorporate specific host cell RNAs into virions. In particular, the host noncoding 7SL RNA is highly abundant in all examined retroviruses compared with its cellular levels or relative to common mRNAs such as actin. Using live cell imaging techniques, we have determined that the 7SL RNA does not arrive with the HIV-1 RNA genome. Instead, it is recruited contemporaneously with assembly of the protein HIV-1 Gag at the plasma membrane. Further, we demonstrate that complexes of 7SL RNA and Gag can be immunoprecipitated from both cytosolic and plasma membrane fractions. This indicates that 7SL RNAs likely interact with Gag prior to high-order Gag multimerization at the plasma membrane. Thus, the interactions between Gag and the host RNA 7SL occur independent of the interactions between Gag and the host endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins, which are recruited temporarily at late stages of assembly. The interactions of 7SL and Gag are also independent of interactions of Gag and the HIV-1 genome which are seen on the plasma membrane prior to assembly of Gag.

RNA-protein interactions govern antiviral specificity and encapsidation of broad spectrum anti-HIV reverse transcriptase aptamers

RNA aptamers that bind HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibit HIV-1 replication, but little is known about potential aptamer-specific viral resistance. During replication, RT interacts with diverse nucleic acids. Thus, the genetic threshold for eliciting resistance may be high for aptamers that make numerous contacts with RT. To evaluate the impact of RT–aptamer binding specificity on replication, we engineered proviral plasmids encoding diverse RTs within the backbone of HIV-1 strain NL4-3. Viruses inhibited by pseudoknot aptamers were rendered insensitive by a naturally occurring R277K variant, providing the first demonstration of aptamer-specific resistance in cell culture. Naturally occurring, pseudoknot-insensitive viruses were rendered sensitive by the inverse K277R mutation, establishing RT as the genetic locus for aptamer-mediated HIV-1 inhibition. Non-pseudoknot RNA aptamers exhibited broad-spectrum inhibition. Inhibition was observed only when virus was produced in aptamer-expressing cells, indicating that encapsidation is required. HIV-1 suppression magnitude correlated with the number of encapsidated aptamer transcripts per virion, with saturation occurring around 1:1 stoichiometry with packaged RT. Encapsidation specificity suggests that aptamers may encounter dimerized GagPol in the cytosol during viral assembly. This study provides new insights into HIV-1's capacity to escape aptamer-mediated inhibition, the potential utility of broad-spectrum aptamers to overcome resistance, and molecular interactions that occur during viral assembly.

HIV-1 Pr55Gag binds genomic and spliced RNAs with different affinity and stoichiometry

The HIV-1 Pr55^Gag precursor specifically selects genomic RNA (gRNA) from a large variety of cellular and spliced viral RNAs (svRNAs), however the molecular mechanisms of this selective recognition remains poorly understood. To gain better understanding of this process, we analyzed the interactions between Pr55^Gag and a large panel of viral RNA (vRNA) fragments encompassing the main packaging signal (Psi) and its flanking regions by fluorescence spectroscopy. We showed that the gRNA harbors a high affinity binding site which is absent from svRNA species, suggesting that this site might be crucial for selecting the HIV-1 genome. Our stoichiometry analysis of protein/RNA complexes revealed that few copies of Pr55^Gag specifically associate with the 5' region of the gRNA. Besides, we found that gRNA dimerization significantly impacts Pr55^Gag binding, and we confirmed that the internal loop of stem-loop 1 (SL1) in Psi is crucial for specific interaction with Pr55^Gag. Our analysis of gRNA fragments of different length supports the existence of a long-range tertiary interaction involving sequences upstream and downstream of the Psi region. This long-range interaction might promote optimal exposure of SL1 for efficient Pr55^Gag recognition. Altogether, our results shed light on the molecular mechanisms allowing the specific selection of gRNA by Pr55^Gag among a variety of svRNAs, all harboring SL1 in their first common exon.

The Host RNAs in Retroviral Particles

As they assemble, retroviruses encapsidate both their genomic RNAs and several types of host RNA. Whereas limited amounts of messenger RNA (mRNA) are detectable within virion populations, the predominant classes of encapsidated host RNAs do not encode proteins, but instead include endogenous retroelements and several classes of non-coding RNA (ncRNA), some of which are packaged in significant molar excess to the viral genome. Surprisingly, although the most abundant host RNAs in retroviruses are also abundant in cells, unusual forms of these RNAs are packaged preferentially, suggesting that these RNAs are recruited early in their biogenesis: before associating with their cognate protein partners, and/or from transient or rare RNA populations. These RNAs' packaging determinants differ from the viral genome's, and several of the abundantly packaged host ncRNAs serve cells as the scaffolds of ribonucleoprotein particles. Because virion assembly is equally efficient whether or not genomic RNA is available, yet RNA appears critical to the structural integrity of retroviral particles, it seems possible that the selectively encapsidated host ncRNAs might play roles in assembly. Indeed, some host ncRNAs appear to act during replication, as some transfer RNA (tRNA) species may contribute to nuclear import of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcription complexes, and other tRNA interactions with the viral Gag protein aid correct trafficking to plasma membrane assembly sites. However, despite high conservation of packaging for certain host RNAs, replication roles for most of these selectively encapsidated RNAs-if any-have remained elusive.

The RNA Binding Specificity of Human APOBEC3 Proteins Resembles That of HIV-1 Nucleocapsid

The APOBEC3 (A3) cytidine deaminases are antiretroviral proteins, whose targets include human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Their incorporation into viral particles is critical for antiviral activity and is driven by interactions with the RNA molecules that are packaged into virions. However, it is unclear whether A3 proteins preferentially target RNA molecules that are destined to be packaged and if so, how. Using cross-linking immunoprecipitation sequencing (CLIP-seq), we determined the RNA binding preferences of the A3F, A3G and A3H proteins. We found that A3 proteins bind preferentially to RNA segments with particular properties, both in cells and in virions. Specifically, A3 proteins target RNA sequences that are G-rich and/or A-rich and are not scanned by ribosomes during translation. Comparative analyses of HIV-1 Gag, nucleocapsid (NC) and A3 RNA binding to HIV-1 RNA in cells and virions revealed the striking finding that A3 proteins partially mimic the RNA binding specificity of the HIV-1 NC protein. These findings suggest a model for A3 incorporation into HIV-1 virions in which an NC-like RNA binding specificity is determined by nucleotide composition rather than sequence. This model reconciles the promiscuity of A3 RNA binding that has been observed in previous studies with a presumed advantage that would accompany selective binding to RNAs that are destined to be packaged into virions.

Analysis of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 RNA packageome

All retroviruses package cellular RNAs into virions. Studies of murine leukemia virus (MLV) revealed that the major host cell RNAs encapsidated by this simple retrovirus were LTR retrotransposons and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Several classes of ncRNAs appeared to be packaged by MLV shortly after synthesis, as precursors to tRNAs, small nuclear RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs were all enriched in virions. To determine the extent to which the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) packages similar RNAs, we used high-throughput sequencing to characterize the RNAs within infectious HIV-1 virions produced in CEM-SS T lymphoblastoid cells. We report that the most abundant cellular RNAs in HIV-1 virions are 7SL RNA and transcripts from numerous divergent and truncated members of the long interspersed element (LINE) and short interspersed element (SINE) families of retrotransposons. We also detected precursors to several tRNAs and small nuclear RNAs as well as transcripts derived from the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) intergenic spacers. We show that packaging of a pre-tRNA requires the nuclear export receptor Exportin 5, indicating that HIV-1 recruits at least some newly made ncRNAs in the cytoplasm. Together, our work identifies the set of RNAs packaged by HIV-1 and reveals that early steps in HIV-1 assembly intersect with host cell ncRNA biogenesis pathways.

Host RNA Packaging by Retroviruses: A Newly Synthesized Story

A fascinating aspect of retroviruses is their tendency to nonrandomly incorporate host cell RNAs into virions. In addition to the specific tRNAs that prime reverse transcription, all examined retroviruses selectively package multiple host cell noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Many of these ncRNAs appear to be encapsidated shortly after synthesis, before assembling with their normal protein partners. Remarkably, although some packaged ncRNAs, such as pre-tRNAs and the spliceosomal U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), were believed to reside exclusively within mammalian nuclei, it was demonstrated recently that the model retrovirus murine leukemia virus (MLV) packages these ncRNAs from a novel pathway in which unneeded nascent ncRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm for degradation. The finding that retroviruses package forms of ncRNAs that are rare in cells suggests several hypotheses for how these RNAs could assist retrovirus assembly and infectivity. Moreover, recent experiments in several laboratories have identified additional ways in which cellular ncRNAs may contribute to the retrovirus life cycle. This review focuses on the ncRNAs that are packaged by retroviruses and the ways in which both encapsidated ncRNAs and other cellular ncRNAs may contribute to retrovirus replication.

A retrovirus packages nascent host noncoding RNAs from a novel surveillance pathway

Eckwahl et al. used high-throughput sequencing to obtain a comprehensive description of the RNAs packaged by a model retrovirus, murine leukemia virus. The major encapsidated host RNAs are noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and members of the VL30 class of endogenous retroviruses. Packaging of both pre-tRNAs and U6 snRNA requires the nuclear export receptor Exportin-5. Adenylated and uridylated forms of these RNAs accumulate in cells and virions when the cytoplasmic exoribonuclease DIS3L2 and subunits of the RNA exosome are depleted.

Although all retroviruses recruit host cell RNAs into virions, both the spectrum of RNAs encapsidated and the mechanisms by which they are recruited remain largely unknown. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing to obtain a comprehensive description of the RNAs packaged by a model retrovirus, murine leukemia virus. The major encapsidated host RNAs are noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and members of the VL30 class of endogenous retroviruses. Remarkably, although Moloney leukemia virus (MLV) assembles in the cytoplasm, precursors to specific tRNAs, small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are all enriched in virions. Consistent with their cytoplasmic recruitment, packaging of both pre-tRNAs and U6 snRNA requires the nuclear export receptor Exportin-5. Adenylated and uridylated forms of these RNAs accumulate in cells and virions when the cytoplasmic exoribonuclease DIS3L2 and subunits of the RNA exosome are depleted. Together, our data reveal that MLV recruits RNAs from a novel host cell surveillance pathway in which unprocessed and unneeded nuclear ncRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm for degradation.

Nuclear trafficking of retroviral RNAs and Gag proteins during late steps of replication

Retroviruses exploit nuclear trafficking machinery at several distinct stages in their replication cycles. In this review, we will focus primarily on nucleocytoplasmic trafficking events that occur after the completion of reverse transcription and proviral integration. First, we will discuss nuclear export of unspliced viral RNA transcripts, which serves two essential roles: as the mRNA template for the translation of viral structural proteins and as the genome for encapsidation into virions. These full-length viral RNAs must overcome the cell's quality control measures to leave the nucleus by co-opting host factors or encoding viral proteins to mediate nuclear export of unspliced viral RNAs. Next, we will summarize the most recent findings on the mechanisms of Gag nuclear trafficking and discuss potential roles for nuclear localization of Gag proteins in retrovirus replication.

Distinct binding interactions of HIV-1 Gag to Psi and non-Psi RNAs: implications for viral genomic RNA packaging

Despite the vast excess of cellular RNAs, precisely two copies of viral genomic RNA (gRNA) are selectively packaged into new human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) particles via specific interactions between the HIV-1 Gag and the gRNA psi (ψ) packaging signal. Gag consists of the matrix (MA), capsid, nucleocapsid (NC), and p6 domains. Binding of the Gag NC domain to ψ is necessary for gRNA packaging, but the mechanism by which Gag selectively interacts with ψ is unclear. Here, we investigate the binding of NC and Gag variants to an RNA derived from ψ (Psi RNA), as well as to a non-ψ region (TARPolyA). Binding was measured as a function of salt to obtain the effective charge (Zeff) and nonelectrostatic (i.e., specific) component of binding, Kd(1M). Gag binds to Psi RNA with a dramatically reduced Kd(1M) and lower Zeff relative to TARPolyA. NC, GagΔMA, and a dimerization mutant of Gag bind TARPolyA with reduced Zeff relative to WT Gag. Mutations involving the NC zinc finger motifs of Gag or changes to the G-rich NC-binding regions of Psi RNA significantly reduce the nonelectrostatic component of binding, leading to an increase in Zeff. These results show that Gag interacts with gRNA using different binding modes; both the NC and MA domains are bound to RNA in the case of TARPolyA, whereas binding to Psi RNA involves only the NC domain. Taken together, these results suggest a novel mechanism for selective gRNA encapsidation.

The pur protein family: genetic and structural features in development and disease

The Pur proteins are an ancient family of sequence-specific single-stranded nucleic acid-binding proteins. They bind a G-rich element in either single- or double-stranded nucleic acids and are capable of displacing the complementary C-rich strand. Recently several reports have described Pur family member knockouts, mutations, and disease aberrations. Together with a recent crystal structure of Purα, these data reveal conserved structural features of these proteins that have been adapted to serve functions unique to higher eukaryotes. In humans Pur proteins are critical for myeloid cell development, muscle development, and brain development, including trafficking of mRNA to neuronal dendrites. Pur family members have been implicated in diseases as diverse as cancer, premature aging, and fragile-X mental retardation syndrome.

Nucleolar trafficking of the mouse mammary tumor virus gag protein induced by interaction with ribosomal protein L9

The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) Gag protein directs the assembly in the cytoplasm of immature viral capsids, which subsequently bud from the plasma membranes of infected cells. MMTV Gag localizes to discrete cytoplasmic foci in mouse mammary epithelial cells, consistent with the formation of cytosolic capsids. Unexpectedly, we also observed an accumulation of Gag in the nucleoli of infected cells derived from mammary gland tumors. To detect Gag-interacting proteins that might influence its subcellular localization, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed. Ribosomal protein L9 (RPL9 or L9), an essential component of the large ribosomal subunit and a putative tumor suppressor, was identified as a Gag binding partner. Overexpression of L9 in cells expressing the MMTV(C3H) provirus resulted in specific, robust accumulation of Gag in nucleoli. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and coimmunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that Gag and L9 interact within the nucleolus, and the CA domain was the major site of interaction. In addition, the isolated NC domain of Gag localized to the nucleolus, suggesting that it contains a nucleolar localization signal (NoLS). To determine whether L9 plays a role in virus assembly, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown was performed. Although Gag expression was not reduced with L9 knockdown, virus production was significantly impaired. Thus, our data support the hypothesis that efficient MMTV particle assembly is dependent upon the interaction of Gag and L9 in the nucleoli of infected cells.

MicroRNAs and unusual small RNAs discovered in Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus virions

It is widely held that any given virus uses only one type of nucleic acid for genetic information storage. However, this consensus has been challenged slightly by several recent studies showing that many RNA species are present within a range of DNA viruses that include Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). RNAs extracted from purified DNA virus particles exhibit great diversity in terms of length, abundance, temporal expression, cellular localization, and coding capacity during viral infection. In addition to known RNA species, the current study showed that small regulatory RNAs were present in KSHV virions. A large number of viral and cellular microRNAs (miRNAs), as well as unusual small RNAs (usRNAs), were detected in KSHV virions by using deep sequencing. Both viral and host miRNAs detected in small RNAs extracted from KSHV virions were further shown to colocalize with KSHV virions directly by in situ hybridization (ISH)-electron microscopy (EM) (ISH-EM). Some of these miRNAs were differentially present in the host cells and KSHV virions, suggesting that they are not randomly present in KSHV virions. The virional miRNAs could be transported into host cells, and they are biologically functional during de novo viral infection. Our study revealed miRNAs and usRNAs as a novel group of components in KSHV virions.