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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...

Nucleic Acid Structure

Nucleic Acid Structure

The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
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RNA Interference

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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.
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RNA Interference

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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.
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mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

Loop nucleotides control primary and mature miRNA function in target recognition and repression.

Si-Biao Yue¹, Robin Deis Trujillo, Yujie Tang

¹Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.

|December 7, 2011

Summary

Primary and mature microRNAs (miRNAs) both regulate gene targets. Pri-miRNA loop sequences fine-tune mature miRNA production and gene regulation, influencing target binding and repression.

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
RNA Biology

Background:

MicroRNA (miRNA) genes generate primary (pri-), precursor (pre-), and mature miRNA products.
All miRNA products possess target-binding sequences, suggesting potential regulatory roles.
Previous work demonstrated pri-miRNA involvement in target repression independently of mature miRNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of pri-miRNAs in target regulation when mature miRNAs are present.
To elucidate how pri-miRNA loop nucleotides influence mature miRNA biogenesis and gene activity.
To differentiate the contributions of pri- and mature miRNAs to target repression.

Main Methods:

Modulation of mature miRNA biogenesis by altering pri-miRNA loop nucleotides.
Analysis of pri-miRNA and mature miRNA contributions to target repression.
Assessment of differential binding affinities to target seed regions.

Main Results:

Pri-let-7 loop nucleotides regulate the 5' end generation of mature miRNAs.
Both pri- and mature miRNAs contribute to target repression.
Distinct sensitivities to target seed binding differentiate pri- and mature miRNA roles.
Regulatory information in pri-/pre-miRNA loops controls pri-miRNA and mature let-7 activity.

Conclusions:

Pri-miRNA loop sequences are critical regulators of both pri-miRNA function and mature miRNA biogenesis.
The fidelity of mature miRNA seed generation is influenced by pri-miRNA loop nucleotides.
Pri- and mature miRNAs exhibit distinct yet cooperative roles in target regulation.