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Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

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...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA 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.
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...
RNA Interference01:23

RNA 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.
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...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

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...
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - 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...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay
12:49

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay

Published on: May 25, 2015

MicroRNAs: target recognition and regulatory functions.

David P Bartel1

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. dbartel@wi.mit.edu

Cell
|January 27, 2009
PubMed
Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs. This review details how miRNAs recognize targets and impact gene expression and evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Gene Regulation

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNA molecules.
  • They play crucial gene-regulatory roles in animals and plants.
  • miRNAs function by pairing with messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of protein-coding genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the current understanding of miRNA target recognition in animals.
  • To discuss the impact of miRNAs on protein-coding gene expression.
  • To explore the influence of miRNAs on the evolution of protein-coding genes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of miRNA research.
  • Analysis of miRNA target recognition mechanisms.
  • Discussion of miRNA-mediated gene regulation.

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MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
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MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

Published on: February 6, 2017

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
09:06

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay
12:49

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay

Published on: May 25, 2015

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
09:05

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

Published on: February 6, 2017

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
09:06

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

Main Results:

  • miRNAs recognize targets through base-pairing with mRNAs.
  • This interaction leads to posttranscriptional repression of gene expression.
  • miRNAs have a significant and widespread impact on gene expression and evolution.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding miRNA target recognition is key to comprehending gene regulation.
  • miRNAs are pivotal regulators influencing both gene expression and evolutionary trajectories.
  • Further research into miRNA mechanisms will illuminate fundamental biological processes.