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Updated: May 13, 2026
07:04
Performing Custom MicroRNA Microarray Experiments
Published on: October 28, 2011
A mammalian microRNA expression atlas based on small RNA library sequencing
Pablo Landgraf1, Mirabela Rusu, Robert Sheridan
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Laboratory of RNA Molecular Biology, Box 186, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Cell
|July 3, 2007
Summary
This study identifies microRNAs (miRNAs) and their expression patterns across human and rodent tissues. A small set of ubiquitous miRNAs drives most expression differences between cell types.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
- Understanding miRNA expression is vital for deciphering cellular function and disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify microRNAs (miRNAs) and comprehensively map their expression profiles.
- To analyze miRNA expression patterns across diverse human and rodent cell types and organ systems.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of over 250 small RNA libraries from 26 distinct human and rodent organ systems and cell types.
- Computational analysis of clone count data to generate expression profiles.
- Detailed characterization of mature miRNA sequences, precursors, genomic locations, and maturation pathways.
Main Results:
- Identification of a core set of microRNAs (miRNAs) responsible for most expression variations across tissues.
- Discovery that many key miRNAs are ubiquitously expressed, despite distinct tissue-specific profiles.
- Comprehensive data on miRNA maturation, transcriptional units, conservation, and genomic organization.
Conclusions:
- A limited repertoire of microRNAs (miRNAs) significantly influences cell and tissue-specific gene regulation.
- The study provides a valuable resource for understanding miRNA function and developing new analytical tools.
- A proposed miRNA subclassification scheme aims to facilitate future functional studies.
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