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MicroRNAs

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...

MicroRNAs

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...

MicroRNAs

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 Interference

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 RNAs

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...

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

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

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

A dictionary on microRNAs and their putative target pathways.

Christina Backes¹, Eckart Meese, Hans-Peter Lenhof

¹Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Germany.

Nucleic Acids Research

|March 20, 2010

Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression. This study links miRNAs to disease pathways and finds their targets are deregulated in cancer, offering a new dictionary for miRNA research.

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Last Updated: Jun 14, 2026

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

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

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

Published on: May 25, 2015

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Bioinformatics
Genomics

Background:

MicroRNA (miRNA) research is growing, with many known miRNAs and predicted targets.
Limited knowledge exists on the systemic effects and regulatory influence of miRNA expression changes.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify biochemical pathways and Gene Ontology categories associated with miRNA targets.
To investigate the relationship between miRNAs, their target pathways, and cancer gene expression data.

Main Methods:

Determined target pathways for known human miRNAs using KEGG and TRANSPATH databases.
Analyzed enriched Gene Ontology categories for miRNA target genes.
Performed sophisticated analysis of differentially expressed genes from 13 cancer datasets (Gene Expression Omnibus).
Integrated miRNA target analysis into the GeneTrail gene set analysis pipeline.

Main Results:

Identified strong associations between miRNA target pathways and disease-related pathways (e.g., MAPK, TGF-beta, p53).
Found that targets of specific miRNAs were significantly deregulated in various cancer datasets.
Developed a comprehensive 'miRNA-target pathway' dictionary.

Conclusions:

miRNA target pathway analysis reveals significant links to disease mechanisms.
This analysis is a valuable tool for understanding miRNA roles in diseases like cancer.
The developed dictionary aids researchers in identifying target pathways for deregulated miRNAs.