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mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation
Published on: May 1, 2021
MicroRNAs: biogenesis and molecular functions.
Xuhang Liu1, Kristine Fortin, Zissimos Mourelatos
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Brain Pathology (Zurich, Switzerland)
|January 30, 2008
Summary
Small regulatory RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs), are key to RNA interference (RNAi). This review details their generation and gene silencing functions in animals, particularly mammals.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Small regulatory RNAs are crucial for gene expression control.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) mediate RNA interference (RNAi).
- These RNA molecules bind Argonaute proteins to form gene-silencing complexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biogenesis of miRNAs and siRNAs.
- To explain the mechanisms of gene silencing by these small RNAs.
- To focus on the function of mammalian miRNAs in gene regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of miRNA and siRNA biogenesis.
- Analysis of gene silencing pathways.
- Focus on post-transcriptional regulation in animals.
Main Results:
- Detailed overview of miRNA and siRNA generation pathways.
- Explanation of Argonaute protein complex formation and function.
- Emphasis on post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Small regulatory RNAs are fundamental to gene expression.
- Understanding miRNA and siRNA pathways is key to controlling gene activity.
- Mammalian miRNAs play a significant role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Related Concept Videos
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...
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...
01:23RNA 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.
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02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
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