Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Viral genomes encode viral transcriptional regulators (vTRs) that manipulate host gene expression to facilitate replication and evade immune detection. Nevertheless, their role in non-cancerous diseases remains largely underexplored. Here, we unveiled 268 new candidate vTRs from 14 of the 20 viral families we investigated. We mapped vTRs' genome-wide binding profiles and identified their potential human targets, which were enriched in immune-mediated pathways, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers. Through vTR DNA-binding preference analysis, 283 virus-specific and human-like motifs were identified. Prioritized Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) vTR target genes were associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The partitioned heritability study among 19 diseases indicated significant enrichment of these diseases in EBV vTR-binding sites, implicating EBV vTRs' roles in immune-mediated disorders. Finally, drug repurposing analysis pinpointed candidate drugs for MS, asthma, and Alzheimer disease. This study enhances our understanding of vTRs in diverse human diseases and identifies potential therapeutic targets for future investigation.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Citu, C., Chang, L., Manuel, A. M., Enduru, N., & Zhao, Z. (2025). Identification and catalog of viral transcriptional regulators in human diseases. iScience. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.112081
Vancouver
Citu C, Chang L, Manuel AM, Enduru N, Zhao Z. Identification and catalog of viral transcriptional regulators in human diseases. iScience. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2025.112081. PMID: 40124487.
BibTeX
@article{citu2025-40124487,
author = {Citu, Citu and Chang, Le and Manuel, Astrid Marilyn and Enduru, Nitesh and Zhao, Zhongming},
title = {{Identification and catalog of viral transcriptional regulators in human diseases}},
journal = {iScience},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2025.112081},
pmid = {40124487},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2025.112081}
}
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Key findings
- Prioritized Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) vTR target genes were associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
- The partitioned heritability study among 19 diseases indicated significant enrichment of these diseases in EBV vTR-binding sites, implicating EBV vTRs' roles in immune-mediated disorders.
Why it matters
Viral transcriptional regulators were mapped and their human targets enriched in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. Drug repurposing analysis identified candidate drugs for Alzheimer's disease, but these are potential therapeutic targets for future investigation.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 38/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (iScience) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | IScience: journal h-index 142 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 4 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 4 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Zhongming Zhao: h-index 88 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: institution h-index 1,800 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40124487) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 38 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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