Regulatory role of cellular and viral microRNAs in insect–virus interactions

• microRNAs are small regulatory non-coding RNAs.
• Virus-encoded as well as host microRNAs are involved in virus–host interactions.
• Upon infection, the host microRNA profile is often altered leading to differential gene expression.

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their functions has led to a paradigm shift in our understanding of the regulation of gene expression, adding an extra layer of complexity for the mechanisms of gene expression. Both cellular and virus encoded miRNAs play important roles in virus–host interactions that may affect virus replication and the outcome of infection. Recent developments in RNA-seq platforms and bioinformatics tools have accelerated the discovery of miRNAs, their targets, and a myriad of associated research in various species. Here, recent findings and developments in miRNA research pertinent to insect host–virus interactions are reviewed and analyzed.

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