Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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...
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...
Structure and Function of Erythrocytes01:29

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Use of Allied Health Services in Rural Northern Victoria, Australia.

The Australian journal of rural health·2025
Same author

Factors Associated with the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Rural Northern Victoria, Australia.

Health care analysis : HCA : journal of health philosophy and policy·2025
Same author

Chronic pain and the use of complementary and alternative medicine in rural Victoria, Australia.

The Australian journal of rural health·2024
Same author

Abscopal Effect after Radiosurgery for Solitary Brain Metastasis from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Cureus·2019
Same author

A transgene with repeated DNA causes high frequency, post-transcriptional suppression of ACC-oxidase gene expression in tomato.

The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology·2018
Same author

Identification of Preferential Paths of Fossil Carbon within Water Resource Recovery Facilities via Radiocarbon Analysis.

Environmental science & technology·2016
Same journal

TDP-43 proteinopathy as a biomarker and therapeutic target in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Biochemical Society transactions·2026
Same journal

Advancing the monitoring of organelle contact sites in vitro and in vivo.

Biochemical Society transactions·2026
Same journal

Mechanisms influencing transient cytoplasmic protein targeting to intracellular lipid droplets.

Biochemical Society transactions·2026
Same journal

Replication associated nuclear DNA mismatch repair across kingdoms.

Biochemical Society transactions·2026
Same journal

Phosphatases of regenerating liver downregulate PTEN to promote tumorigenesis.

Biochemical Society transactions·2026
Same journal

Implications of Rho GTPase signaling in cancer immunotherapy.

Biochemical Society transactions·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge
09:53

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge

Published on: June 15, 2018

MicroRNA in erythrocytes.

Andrew J Hamilton1

  • 1Division of Cancer Science and Molecular Pathology, Glasgow University, Western Infirmary (Pathology), Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK. a.hamilton@clinmed.gla.ac.uk

Biochemical Society Transactions
|January 16, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mammalian erythrocytes may possess RNA, challenging the long-held belief they cannot produce proteins. Recent findings suggest the presence of Y RNA and microRNA, hinting at novel cellular functions.

More Related Videos

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum
10:22

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

Published on: December 4, 2015

Isolation of Small Noncoding RNAs from Human Serum
06:44

Isolation of Small Noncoding RNAs from Human Serum

Published on: June 19, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge
09:53

In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge

Published on: June 15, 2018

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum
10:22

Methods to Investigate the Regulatory Role of Small RNAs and Ribosomal Occupancy of Plasmodium falciparum

Published on: December 4, 2015

Isolation of Small Noncoding RNAs from Human Serum
06:44

Isolation of Small Noncoding RNAs from Human Serum

Published on: June 19, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mammalian erythrocytes are traditionally considered devoid of RNA, precluding protein synthesis.
  • Previous research focused on total RNA content, overlooking specific non-coding RNA species.
  • The established view posits erythrocytes lack the machinery for de novo protein translation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and potential roles of specific non-coding RNAs in human erythrocytes.
  • To challenge the paradigm of RNA deficiency and translational inactivity in mature red blood cells.
  • To explore implications of microRNA and Y RNA discovery for erythrocyte biology.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of specific non-coding RNA content in human erythrocytes.
  • Review of existing literature on RNA and translation in red blood cells.
  • Bioinformatic and molecular techniques to identify and characterize RNA species.

Main Results:

  • Detection of Y RNA and microRNA in human erythrocytes.
  • MicroRNAs, typically involved in translation attenuation, were found in these cells.
  • Y RNA's association with the Ro autoantigen suggests potential RNA quality control mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • The presence of Y RNA and microRNA indicates erythrocytes may harbor other cryptic RNAs.
  • These findings suggest either low-level translation or uncharacterized microRNA-mediated processes.
  • Erythrocytes may possess a more complex molecular machinery than previously understood.