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mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

Mammalian mirtron genes.

Eugene Berezikov¹, Wei-Jen Chung, Jason Willis

¹Hubrecht Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.berezikov@niob.knaw.nl

|October 30, 2007

Summary

Mammals possess mirtrons, a novel microRNA precursor pathway bypassing Drosha cleavage. These findings suggest independent evolution of this hybrid small RNA pathway across different animal species.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Bioinformatics

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
Canonical miRNA biogenesis involves Drosha cleavage.
Mirtrons, alternative miRNA precursors, were previously identified in invertebrates.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and characteristics of mirtrons in mammals.
To determine the evolutionary origins and conservation of mirtrons.

Main Methods:

Computational analysis of genomic data.
Experimental validation including cloning and expression analysis.
Comparative genomics across different species.

Main Results:

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Identification of 3 conserved mammalian mirtrons and numerous primate-specific mirtrons.

Evidence of mirtrons in diverse mammalian species.

Distinct sets of mirtrons observed in mammals, worms, and flies.

Conclusions:

Mammals possess functional mirtrons, expanding the known miRNA biogenesis pathways.
The independent evolution of mirtrons in different animal clades is supported.
Mirtrons represent an ancient regulatory mechanism with clade-specific adaptations.