Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells
07:19

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

Published on: September 28, 2011

Alu elements within human mRNAs are probable microRNA targets

Neil R Smalheiser1, Vetle I Torvik

  • 1University of Illinois-Chicago, UIC Psychiatric Institute MC912, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. neils@uic.edu

Trends in Genetics : TIG
|August 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Human microRNAs can target genomic repeats. Researchers found nearly 30 microRNAs complement Alu elements in messenger RNAs, suggesting these repeats act as microRNA targets.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • Previous research identified microRNAs targeting MIR/LINE-2 elements in human mRNAs.
  • The study investigates if microRNAs also target other genomic repeats, specifically Alu elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if human microRNAs target Alu elements within messenger RNAs.
  • To identify specific microRNAs that interact with Alu elements.

Main Methods:

  • Bioinformatic analysis of microRNA binding sites within human genomic repeats.
  • Sequence alignment and conservation analysis of Alu elements in 3' untranslated regions of mRNAs.

Main Results:

  • Nearly 30 human microRNAs demonstrate complementarity with specific sites in Alu elements.
  • These complementary sites within Alu elements are highly conserved across human mRNAs.
  • Alu elements within human mRNAs are suggested to function as microRNA targets.

Conclusions:

  • Human microRNAs can target repetitive elements beyond MIR/LINE-2, including Alu elements.
  • Conserved binding sites indicate a functional role for microRNA targeting of Alu elements in mRNA regulation.

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