MicroRNAs in mammalian development

Development in mammals is a complex process requiring gene expression to be spatially and temporally well-regulated. Factors modulate gene functioning by controlling transcription, translation, or mRNA degradation. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small RNA molecules (approximately 22 nucleotides) that attenuate gene activity posttranscriptionally by suppressing translation or destabilizing mRNAs. miRNAs have been recently validated to regulate many animal developmental events including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Many miRNAs display intriguing expression and functioning patterns throughout these pathways. Here we will review achievements to date about studies of how miRNAs affect a variety of animal developmental transitions, from the formation of early embryos to the generation of highly specialized tissues.