Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
06:16
mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation
Published on: May 1, 2021
miRNA editing--we should have inosine this coming
Jeffrey W Habig1, Taraka Dale, Brenda L Bass
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Molecular Cell
|March 28, 2007
Summary
Researchers found that adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) can edit microRNA (miRNA) precursors. This editing changes which genes the mature miRNA targets, affecting gene regulation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- RNA Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- miRNA precursors undergo processing to yield mature miRNAs.
- Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) are enzymes involved in RNA editing.
Discussion:
- This study presents the first evidence that ADARs can directly edit miRNA precursors.
- The editing event occurs within the miRNA precursor sequence.
- This modification impacts the downstream processing and function of the miRNA.
Key Insights:
- ADAR-mediated editing of miRNA precursors alters mature miRNA target specificity.
- This mechanism provides a novel layer of gene regulation.
- The findings expand our understanding of miRNA biogenesis and function.
Outlook:
- Investigating the full spectrum of ADAR-edited miRNAs and their biological roles.
- Exploring the therapeutic potential of modulating miRNA editing.
- Understanding the implications of altered miRNA editing in disease states.
Related Concept Videos
02:23RNA Editing
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
01:23RNA Interference
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
01:23RNA Interference
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
02:15Experimental RNAi
RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...