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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...

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PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...

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RNA Interference

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

MicroRNA biogenesis and function. An overview.

René F Ketting¹

¹Ketting-Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Centre Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands. r.ketting@hubrecht.eu

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology

|June 2, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

RNA interference (RNAi), discovered in 1998, revealed a novel gene regulation mechanism conserved across evolution. This RNA silencing pathway involves small RNAs and Argonaute proteins, leading to microRNA-mediated gene silencing.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biochemistry

Background:

The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) in 1998 revolutionized the understanding of gene regulation.
Initially observed as peculiar phenomena in plants and C. elegans, RNAi mechanisms were found to be conserved across diverse evolutionary lineages.
RNA silencing encompasses various processes sharing small RNA molecules as key regulators.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a historical overview of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and function.
To explain the fundamental mechanisms of RNA silencing pathways.
To highlight the role of small RNAs and Argonaute proteins in gene regulation.

Main Methods:

Review of landmark discoveries in RNA interference research.
Explanation of small RNA biogenesis from double-stranded RNA precursors.
Description of Argonaute protein involvement in effector complexes.

Main Results:

Identification of RNA interference as a novel gene regulatory mechanism.
Elucidation of small RNAs as central components in RNA silencing.
Establishment of microRNA-mediated gene silencing as a key biological process.

Conclusions:

RNA silencing is a deeply conserved and fundamental biological process.
Small RNAs, in conjunction with Argonaute proteins, orchestrate gene regulation.
MicroRNA-mediated gene silencing plays a crucial role in cellular function.