Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
09:39
Enhanced Northern Blot Detection of Small RNA Species in Drosophila Melanogaster
Published on: August 21, 2014
The complex eukaryotic transcriptome: unexpected pervasive transcription and novel small RNAs
1Unité de Génétique des Interactions Macromoléculaires, Institut Pasteur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique URA2171, 25 Rue du Dr Roux, F-75015, Paris, France. alain.jacquier@pasteur.fr
Nature Reviews. Genetics
|November 19, 2009
Summary
New techniques reveal small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) linked to promoters in eukaryotes. These findings challenge fundamental concepts of gene transcription and its regulation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Recent advancements enable genome-wide transcriptome studies independent of prior annotations.
- This has led to the identification of numerous novel RNA molecules lacking apparent protein-coding functions.
- Pervasive transcription generates diverse RNA products, including small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs).
Purpose of the Study:
- This review focuses on small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) associated with eukaryotic promoters.
- It aims to compare different classes of promoter-associated ncRNAs.
- The review discusses proposed models for the origin and function of these ncRNAs.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of existing studies on promoter-associated ncRNAs.
- Literature review and synthesis of findings on ncRNA classes, origins, and functions.
Main Results:
- Discovery of a wide array of small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) at eukaryotic promoters.
- Identification of diverse classes of these ncRNAs across different eukaryotic species (animals to yeast).
Conclusions:
- Promoter-associated ncRNAs challenge established models of basic transcription.
- Their origins and functions necessitate a re-evaluation of gene expression regulation.
- These findings highlight the complexity of the eukaryotic transcriptome and regulatory mechanisms.
More Related Videos
12:54Real-time Analysis of Transcription Factor Binding, Transcription, Translation, and Turnover to Display Global Events During Cellular Activation
Published on: March 7, 2018
12:12Analysis of Termination of Transcription Using BrUTP-strand-specific Transcription Run-on (TRO) Approach
Published on: March 12, 2017
Related Concept Videos
02:53Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
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,...
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,...
02:24Ribosome Profiling
Ribosome profiling or ribo-sequencing is a deep sequencing technique that produces a snapshot of active translation in a cell. It selectively sequences the mRNAs protected by ribosomes to get an insight into a cell’s translation landscape at any given point in time.
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...
Applications of ribosome profiling
Ribosome profiling has many applications, including in vivo monitoring of translation inside a particular organ or tissue type and quantifying new protein synthesis levels.
The technique helps...
02:57piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs
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...
01:23Transcriptional Regulation: Riboswitches
Riboswitches are RNA elements that regulate gene expression by altering their secondary structures in response to specific effector molecules. These elements, located in the leader regions of certain mRNAs, act as transcriptional regulators by toggling between alternative conformations to control downstream gene expression. Riboswitch-mediated regulation is a precise mechanism for modulating biosynthetic pathways, as exemplified by the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway in Bacillus...
03:21RNA-seq
RNA sequencing, or RNA-Seq, is a high-throughput sequencing technology used to study the transcriptome of a cell. Transcriptomics helps to interpret the functional elements of a genome and identify the molecular constituents of an organism. Additionally, it also helps in understanding the development of an organism and the occurrence of diseases.
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while microarray-based...
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while microarray-based...
02:30siRNA - 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...
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...