Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
11:00
Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs
Published on: June 12, 2018
Regulation of microRNA biogenesis and function
T Treiber1, N Treiber, G Meister
1Gunter Meister, Biochemistry Center Regensburg (BZR), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|February 10, 2012
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate cellular pathways by binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs). This review details how miRNA activity and abundance are controlled at multiple levels in mammalian cells.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of cellular pathways.
- Their biosynthesis and function require strict regulation.
- Mature miRNAs function within protein complexes, primarily with Argonaute (Ago) proteins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding miRNA activity regulation in mammalian cells.
- To discuss the multifaceted levels at which miRNA activity is controlled.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on miRNA regulation.
- Synthesis of findings on miRNA transcription, processing, target binding, and stability.
Main Results:
- MiRNA activity is regulated from transcription and processing to target recognition and stability.
- Complexes involving mature miRNAs and Ago proteins mediate gene expression inhibition.
- Regulation occurs at multiple molecular levels, impacting miRNA abundance and function.
Conclusions:
- MiRNA regulation is a complex, multi-layered process essential for cellular homeostasis.
- Understanding these regulatory mechanisms is key to comprehending gene expression control.
- This review consolidates current knowledge on mammalian miRNA regulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
01:22MicroRNAs
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...
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...