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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 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...
Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)02:30

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome
07:23

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

MicroRNAs and cellular phenotypy.

Kenneth S Kosik1

  • 1Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular Cellular Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. kenneth.kosik@lifesci.ucsb.edu

Cell
|October 5, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

MicroRNAs protect specialized cells from environmental threats. Their rapid evolution may drive the creation of new cell types, offering insights into cellular adaptation and diversification.

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Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome
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Published on: June 15, 2016

Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs
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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Specialized cells possess unique vulnerabilities to environmental changes.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
  • The evolutionary dynamics of miRNAs are not fully understood in the context of cellular adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of microRNAs in mitigating environmental vulnerabilities of specialized cells.
  • To investigate the potential of microRNA evolution as a facilitator for novel cell type emergence.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis and literature review.
  • Exploration of existing data on microRNA evolution and function.
  • Theoretical modeling of microRNA-mediated cellular adaptation.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs can counteract specific cellular vulnerabilities arising from environmental pressures.
  • The rapid evolutionary rate of microRNAs makes them suitable candidates for facilitating new cell type formation.
  • This mechanism provides a potential pathway for evolutionary innovation at the cellular level.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNAs play a crucial role in cellular resilience and adaptation.
  • MicroRNA evolution is a key factor in the emergence of cellular diversity.
  • Understanding these processes can inform research in developmental biology and evolutionary medicine.