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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...
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...
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...
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

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...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells
07:19

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

Published on: September 28, 2011

Redefining microRNA targets.

Hervé Seitz1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. seitz@ibcg.biotoul.fr

Current Biology : CB
|April 21, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study proposes that many identified microRNA (miRNA) targets may act as competitive inhibitors, sequestering miRNAs and preventing them from regulating their true targets. This challenges the prevailing view of miRNA function.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells
07:19

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

Published on: September 28, 2011

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library
08:40

Genome-wide Screen for miRNA Targets Using the MISSION Target ID Library

Published on: April 6, 2012

Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs
11:00

Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs

Published on: June 12, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Animal microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by repressing target messenger RNAs (mRNAs).
  • Computational predictions suggest extensive miRNA targeting, but genetic studies indicate fewer functional targets.
  • Observed miRNA-mediated repression is often modest and less than intrinsic gene expression variations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose an alternative hypothesis resolving paradoxes in microRNA target identification and function.
  • To challenge the prevailing view that miRNAs primarily "tune" gene expression.
  • To introduce the concept of competitive inhibition in miRNA regulation.

Main Methods:

  • The study is primarily theoretical, proposing a new hypothesis based on existing computational and genetic data.
  • It re-evaluates the interpretation of miRNA:mRNA interactions.
  • It does not involve new experimental data generation.

Main Results:

  • A novel hypothesis suggests that many predicted miRNA targets function as competitive inhibitors.
  • These inhibitors sequester miRNAs, preventing binding to authentic targets.
  • This sequestration mechanism offers an alternative explanation for limited observed miRNA repression.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed hypothesis could resolve discrepancies between predicted and functionally validated miRNA targets.
  • It re-frames our understanding of miRNA regulation, moving beyond simple "tuning".
  • The prevalence of miRNA:mRNA competitive inhibition has significant implications for miRNA function research.