Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

Ribosomal 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,...

Translational Regulation

Translational Regulation

Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...

Types of RNA

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...

Types of RNA

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...

Types of RNA

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Untold: Marshall Nirenberg and Hexose Transport.

FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·2026

Same author

A totipotent embryologist: John B. Gurdon (1933-2025).

Genes & development·2025

Same author

Cellular infrastructure: X-rays have just made another soft landing.

Molecular biology of the cell·2025

Same author

David Baltimore and the advent of eukaryotic RNA-binding proteins.

Molecular biology of the cell·2025

Same author

Étienne-Émile Baulieu (1926-2025): Scientist of steroids and champion of women's reproductive rights.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Same author

Étienne-Émile Baulieu (1929-2025): Scientist of steroids and champion of women's reproductive rights.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2021

Regulatory RNAs derived from transfer RNA?

Thoru Pederson¹

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA. thoru.pederson@umassmed.edu

RNA (New York, N.Y.)

|August 20, 2010

Summary

Recent studies reveal transfer RNA (tRNA) cleavages produce microRNA-like small noncoding RNAs. Further research may confirm their regulatory functions and offer insights into tRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) coevolution.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
RNA Biology

Background:

Small noncoding RNAs play crucial regulatory roles in gene expression.
Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are traditionally known for their role in protein translation.
Emerging evidence suggests novel functions for tRNA-derived molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the generation and potential functions of tRNA-derived small RNAs.
To explore the characteristics of these molecules in comparison to microRNAs.
To understand the implications for RNA biology and gene regulation.

Main Methods:

Analysis of high-throughput sequencing data from multiple studies.
Bioinformatic identification and characterization of tRNA-derived fragments.

More Related Videos

Exploring Sequence Space to Identify Binding Sites for Regulatory RNA-Binding Proteins

Exploring Sequence Space to Identify Binding Sites for Regulatory RNA-Binding Proteins

Published on: August 9, 2019

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Published on: January 16, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria

MS2-Affinity Purification Coupled with RNA Sequencing in Gram-Positive Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2021

Exploring Sequence Space to Identify Binding Sites for Regulatory RNA-Binding Proteins

Exploring Sequence Space to Identify Binding Sites for Regulatory RNA-Binding Proteins

Published on: August 9, 2019

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Isolation of Cognate RNA-protein Complexes from Cells Using Oligonucleotide-directed Elution

Published on: January 16, 2017

Comparative analysis of tRNA-derived RNAs and known microRNAs.

Functional assays to assess the regulatory potential of these RNAs (as suggested by cited studies).

Main Results:

Four independent studies indicate that tRNA molecules are cleaved into smaller products.
These products exhibit features similar to microRNAs (miRNAs).
Preliminary evidence suggests these tRNA-derived RNAs possess biological functions.

Conclusions:

The cleavage of tRNAs generates a new class of small noncoding RNAs with miRNA-like properties.
Confirmation of their regulatory roles would expand the known small RNA repertoire.
These findings offer novel perspectives on the coevolution of tRNA and mRNA.