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Related Concept Videos

RNA Interference01:23

RNA Interference

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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...
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Ribosomal RNA Synthesis02:53

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

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Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
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siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

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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.
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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

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PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...
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lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

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In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA...
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Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

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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...
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Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
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Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster

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Small non-coding RNAs in animal development.

Giovanni Stefani1, Frank J Slack

  • 1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, 266 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA. giovanni.stefani@yale.edu

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
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PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Small non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), regulate gene expression in animals and plants. Analyzing genetic deletions in mammals reveals miRNAs as crucial for development and linked to human diseases.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Gene expression regulation involves small non-coding RNAs in animals and plants.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are key regulators in animal development.
  • Understanding small RNA functions has advanced through mammalian genetic studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the biological functions of small non-coding RNAs.
  • To investigate the role of microRNAs in mammalian development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of genetic deletions of individual miRNAs in mammals.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs are confirmed as key regulators of animal development.
  • Studies identified miRNAs as potential loci for human diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Small non-coding RNAs, particularly miRNAs, play critical roles in animal development.
  • Dysregulation of miRNAs may contribute to human disease pathogenesis.