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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

Marsupial-specific microRNAs evolved from marsupial-specific transposable elements.

Eric J Devor¹, Andrew S Peek, William Lanier

¹Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics, Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, IA 52241, USA. eric-devor@uiowa.edu

|July 7, 2009

Summary

New microRNAs in marsupials, like Monodelphis domestica, often originate from transposable elements. This research highlights transposable elements as a significant, previously overlooked source for novel, species-specific microRNAs.

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Area of Science:

Genomics
Molecular Biology
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression.
Identifying the origins of novel miRNAs is key to understanding genome evolution.
Marsupial genomes offer unique insights into mammalian evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary origins of previously identified marsupial-specific microRNAs.
To determine the role of transposable elements in the generation of new microRNAs in Monodelphis domestica.

Main Methods:

Direct miRNA cloning strategy.
Bioinformatic analysis of pre-miRNA sequences and flanking genomic regions.
Comparative genomics to identify transposable element origins.

Main Results:

Half of the fourteen identified marsupial-specific microRNAs in Monodelphis domestica originated from marsupial-specific transposable elements.
Analysis of pre-miRNA structures and flanking sequences confirmed their derivation from mobile genetic elements.
Evidence suggests a significant contribution of transposable elements to the microRNA repertoire.

Conclusions:

Transposable elements are a substantial and previously underappreciated source of novel, lineage-specific microRNAs.
The findings contribute to our understanding of genome evolution and the dynamic nature of microRNA biogenesis.
Marsupial genomes provide a valuable model for studying the impact of transposable elements on gene regulation.