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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...
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...
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
RNA Interference01:23

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...
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

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...

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MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
09:05

MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism

Published on: February 6, 2017

MicroRNAs can generate thresholds in target gene expression.

Shankar Mukherji1, Margaret S Ebert, Grace X Y Zheng

  • 1Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Nature Genetics
|August 23, 2011
PubMed
Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as gene expression regulators. This study reveals miRNAs function as a switch, repressing protein production below a target mRNA threshold, and as a fine-tuner near it.

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MicroRNA-based Regulation of Picornavirus Tropism
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08:40

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Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells
07:19

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells

Published on: September 28, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
  • miRNAs function by sequence-dependent repression of target genes.
  • Understanding miRNA regulatory mechanisms at the single-cell level is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the single-cell dynamics of gene expression regulation by miRNAs.
  • To characterize the threshold behavior of protein repression mediated by miRNAs.
  • To explore the dual role of miRNAs as switches and fine-tuners.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative fluorescence microscopy for single-cell protein expression measurement.
  • Flow cytometry to analyze cell populations.
  • Mathematical modeling to interpret molecular titration dynamics.

Main Results:

  • While average miRNA-mediated repression is modest, single-cell repression varies significantly.
  • miRNA regulation establishes a critical threshold for target mRNA levels.
  • Below this threshold, protein production is strongly repressed, acting like a switch.
  • Near the threshold, protein expression shows sensitive responses to mRNA levels, indicating fine-tuning.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs exhibit a dual mode of gene expression regulation: acting as a switch and a fine-tuner.
  • Single-cell analysis reveals complex regulatory behaviors not apparent in population studies.
  • The threshold mechanism highlights a precise control point for gene expression by miRNAs.