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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells

A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells

Published on: June 16, 2022

BRCA1 regulates microRNA biogenesis via the DROSHA microprocessor complex.

Shinji Kawai¹, Atsuo Amano

¹Department of Oral Frontier Biology, Center for Frontier Oral Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. skawai@dent.osaka-u.ac.jp

The Journal of Cell Biology

|April 12, 2012

Summary

The tumor suppressor breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) accelerates microRNA (miRNA) processing by interacting with the DROSHA complex. This reveals new roles for BRCA1 in miRNA biogenesis and genomic stability.

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells

A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells

Published on: June 16, 2022

Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs

Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs

Published on: June 12, 2018

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Cancer Research

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression.
miRNA biogenesis is primarily controlled by the DROSHA microprocessor complex, but mechanisms remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the role of the tumor suppressor breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) in miRNA biogenesis.
To investigate the interaction of BRCA1 with components of the miRNA processing machinery.

Main Methods:

Assessed the effect of BRCA1 on the expression of precursor and mature miRNAs.
Investigated direct physical interactions between BRCA1, DROSHA complex components (DROSHA, DDX5), and other proteins (Smad3, p53, DHX9).
Examined BRCA1's RNA-binding capabilities and its interaction with miRNA primary transcripts.

Main Results:

BRCA1 significantly increased the expression of precursor and mature forms of specific miRNAs (let-7a-1, miR-16-1, miR-145, miR-34a).
BRCA1 directly associates with DROSHA and DDX5, and interacts with Smad3, p53, and DHX9.
BRCA1 binds directly to miRNA primary transcripts, recognizing their RNA secondary structure through its DNA-binding domain.

Conclusions:

BRCA1 acts as a regulator of miRNA biogenesis, influencing processing via the DROSHA microprocessor complex and interacting proteins Smad3/p53/DHX9.
These findings uncover novel functions for BRCA1 in miRNA biogenesis, potentially linking its tumor suppressor activity and role in maintaining genomic stability.