vhfRNAi: a web-platform for analysis of hostrngenes involved in viral infections discoveredrnby genome wide RNAi screens

摘要

Knockdown of host genes using high-throughput genome-wide RNA interference screens has identifiedrnnumerous host factors that affect viral infections, which would be helpful in understanding host–virusrninteractions. We have developed a vhfRNAi web resource based on genome-wide RNAi experiments forrnviruses. It contains experimental details of 12 249 entries (host factors + restriction factors) for 18 viruses.rnSimultaneously, this resource encompasses analysis of overlapping genes, genome wide associationrnstudies, gene ontology (GO), pathogen interacting proteins, interaction networks and pathwayrnenrichment. Using overlap analysis, it was found that Influenza A virus shared overlapping host genesrnwith the majority of viruses including Hepatitis C virus and Dengue virus 2. In the genome widernassociation studies analysis, 429 diseases/traits were mapped, of which obesity-related traits were thernmost common. GO analysis revealed that the major categories belonged to metabolic processes,rnmolecule transport, signal transduction, proteolysis, etc. In the pathogen interacting protein analysis,rnprotein interaction data from different resources can be explored for further understanding of host–virusrnbiology. By pathway enrichment analysis, a total of 8955 genes were mapped on 303 pathways withrnmost of the hits coming from metabolic pathways. We have found 491 genes that are not essential forrnthe host but essential for the virus and can be targeted to inhibit the virus. These may be explored asrnpotential candidates for drug targets. The resource is freely accessible at http://bioinfo.imtech.res.in/manrnojk/vhfrnai and will be useful in understanding host–virus biology as well as identification of targets forrnthe development of antiviral therapeutics.