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Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs
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Published on: June 12, 2018

MicroRNAs and messenger RNA turnover

Julia A Chekanova1, Dmitry A Belostotsky

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|September 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for cleavage or repression via the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). This study characterizes the products of miRNA-directed mRNA cleavage by RISC.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
  • Initially thought to only repress translation, miRNAs are now known to also induce mRNA cleavage.
  • The mechanisms of miRNA-mediated translational repression and mRNA cleavage differ and are context-dependent.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To focus on the mechanism of miRNA-directed mRNA cleavage by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC).
  • To characterize the specific products generated from miRNA-mediated mRNA cleavage.

Main Methods:

  • The study involves analyzing the products of mRNA cleavage mediated by miRNA-programmed RISC.
  • Detailed characterization of cleavage products is performed.

Main Results:

  • miRNA-directed mRNA cleavage by RISC generates specific products.
  • The characteristics of these cleavage products are elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • miRNA-mediated mRNA cleavage is a significant mode of gene regulation in both plants and animals.
  • Understanding the products of cleavage provides insights into the precise mechanisms of miRNA function.

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