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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...

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 ends...

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

Published on: February 6, 2017

Viral miRNAs.

Karlie Plaisance-Bonstaff¹, Rolf Renne

¹Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|March 25, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Viral microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression in hosts and viruses. Discovering their targets is challenging but crucial for understanding viral biology and pathogenesis, including potential links to tumorigenesis.

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MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Virology
Genetics

Background:

Over 200 microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in DNA viruses, primarily herpesviruses and polyomaviruses.
miRNAs are short RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to target mRNAs.
Identifying viral miRNA targets is challenging due to limited complementarity requirements for binding.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize current knowledge on viral microRNAs (miRNAs), including their targets and functions.
To highlight the challenges in deciphering the roles of viral miRNAs in viral biology and pathogenesis.
To explore the potential involvement of gamma-herpesvirus-encoded miRNAs in tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

Review and synthesis of existing literature on viral miRNAs.
Analysis of experimentally verified viral miRNA targets.
Discussion of the biological processes regulated by viral miRNAs.

Main Results:

Viral miRNAs target both viral gene expression (e.g., SV40 large T antigen) and host cellular genes.
Herpesvirus miRNAs are implicated in regulating the switch between latent and lytic viral gene expression.
Viral miRNAs influence fundamental biological processes like immune recognition, cell survival, and differentiation.

Conclusions:

Virally encoded miRNAs play significant roles in viral biology and pathogenesis.
Further research is needed to fully understand the complex functions and targets of viral miRNAs.
Gamma-herpesvirus miRNAs may have implications in the development of cancer.