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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
09:19
In ovo Expression of MicroRNA in Ventral Chick Midbrain
Published on: September 16, 2013
MicroRNA expression in chicken embryos
J A Hicks1, P Tembhurne, H-C Liu
1North Carolina State University, Department of Animal Science, 232D Polk Hall, Campus Box 7621, Raleigh 27695, USA.
Poultry Science
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Researchers identified microRNAs (miRNA) in 11-day-old chick embryos, revealing a diverse set regulating gene expression during development. This study enhances understanding of vertebrate development and gene regulation complexity.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.
- A significant role of miRNAs is observed in controlling gene expression during developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in 11-day-old chick embryos.
- To identify known, homologous, and novel miRNAs in embryonic chicken development.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a small RNA library from 11-day-old chick embryos.
- Sequencing of the small RNA library using 454 Life Sciences pyrosequencing technology.
- Annotation of obtained sequences to classify miRNAs.
Main Results:
- A total of 10,466 sequences were obtained and analyzed.
- Identified 110 known chicken miRNAs, 36 homologous miRNAs (conserved across species), and 14 novel chicken-specific miRNAs.
- Demonstrated differential expression of certain embryonic miRNAs in spleen, liver, and bursa tissues.
Conclusions:
- The embryonic chick at 11 days of incubation expresses a diverse and dynamic set of miRNAs.
- The identification of embryonic chicken miRNAs contributes to understanding gene regulation complexity in vertebrate development.
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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...