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MicroRNAs

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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

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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Complete Pipeline for Isolating and Sequencing MicroRNAs, and Analyzing Them Using Open Source Tools

A Complete Pipeline for Isolating and Sequencing MicroRNAs, and Analyzing Them Using Open Source Tools

Published on: August 21, 2019

MicroRNA processing without Dicer.

Anne Dueck¹, Gunter Meister

¹Laboratory of RNA Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.

|June 23, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

MicroRNA processing typically needs Dicer, but a new study reveals Argonaute 2 can alternatively process microRNAs, bypassing Dicer. This finding offers new insights into microRNA biogenesis pathways.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
RNA Biology

Background:

MicroRNA (miRNA) biogenesis is crucial for gene regulation.
The enzyme Dicer has been traditionally considered essential for miRNA precursor processing.

Discussion:

This study challenges the conventional understanding of miRNA processing.
It highlights a Dicer-independent pathway for miRNA maturation.

Key Insights:

Argonaute 2 (Ago2) can directly process precursor microRNAs.
This alternative pathway provides a novel mechanism for miRNA biogenesis.

Outlook:

Further research is needed to elucidate the biological significance of this Dicer-independent pathway.
Investigating Ago2's role in miRNA processing could reveal new therapeutic targets for diseases involving miRNA dysregulation.