Answer :
Final answer:
miR-122 serves as a protective cap for the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, preventing its degradation by the host cell's defense mechanisms. It binds to the 5' end of the HCV RNA, and inhibitors like miravirsen can suppress miR-122 to reduce HCV RNA levels.
Explanation:
The role of miR-122 in relation to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome involves its function as a critical microRNA that interacts with the virus. Contrary to serving as a degradative force, miR-122 actually acts protectively, binding to the HCV genome and shielding it from the host cell's RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and other degradation mechanisms. More specifically, miR-122 binds to the 5' end of the HCV RNA genome, altering its structure and thus interfering with the host cell's defensive degradation pathways. Therapeutic agents, like miravirsen, that are complementary to miR-122 can suppress the activity of miR-122, leading to the reduction in HCV RNA levels in infected patients by removing this protection and allowing the host cell mechanisms to degrade the viral RNA.
