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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...

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...

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

MicroRNAs, macrocontrol: regulation of miRNA processing.

Izabella Slezak-Prochazka¹, Selvi Durmus, Bart-Jan Kroesen

¹Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)

|April 29, 2010

Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs regulating gene expression. This review details miRNA processing pathways, their regulation, and links to diseases like cancer.

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Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

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A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biochemistry

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs crucial for post-transcriptional gene regulation.
miRNA maturation involves multiple regulated steps, yielding functional ~22-nucleotide RNAs.
Regulation occurs transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally during miRNA processing.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the regulatory pathways governing miRNA processing.
To elucidate how aberrant miRNA processing contributes to disease.
To provide a foundation for understanding miRNA dysregulation in pathologies.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies on miRNA biogenesis and regulation.
Analysis of regulatory proteins, RNA editing, and cellular localization in miRNA processing.
Investigation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) impact on miRNA processing efficiency.

Main Results:

miRNA processing is a highly regulated process involving specific proteins and cellular compartments.
RNA editing and SNPs in miRNA genes can significantly alter processing efficiency.
Aberrant miRNA processing is implicated in various pathophysiological conditions, notably cancer.

Conclusions:

Understanding miRNA processing regulation is key to comprehending gene expression control.
Dysregulation in miRNA processing pathways can lead to disease development.
Further research into miRNA processing mechanisms may reveal novel therapeutic targets for cancer and other diseases.