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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 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...
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...
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...
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...
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs02:39

lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs

In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...

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CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis
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CRISPR Gene Editing Tool for MicroRNA Cluster Network Analysis

Published on: April 25, 2022

miRNA regulates noncoding RNA: a noncanonical function model.

Xi Chen1, Hongwei Liang, Chen-Yu Zhang

  • 1Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for microRNA Biology and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing 210093, China.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|September 12, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are now known to move to the nucleus, regulating noncoding RNAs. This challenges the traditional view of miRNA function, revealing a new layer of gene regulation.

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Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome
07:23

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Noncoding RNA Regulation

Background:

  • Traditionally, microRNAs (miRNAs) were understood to function exclusively in the cytoplasm, targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for protein translation.
  • Emerging evidence suggests a more complex role for miRNAs, including their translocation to the nucleus.
  • This nuclear localization implies novel regulatory functions beyond canonical mRNA targeting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the emerging working model of noncanonical microRNA (miRNA) function in the nucleus.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate noncoding RNAs.
  • To challenge the established paradigm of miRNA-mediated gene regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of recent experimental findings on miRNA nuclear transport and function.
  • Analysis of studies demonstrating miRNA interaction with noncoding RNAs in the nuclear compartment.
  • Integration of data to propose a cohesive model for noncanonical miRNA activity.

Main Results:

  • MicroRNAs are actively transported from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.
  • Nuclear miRNAs engage in the regulation of noncoding RNAs, a function previously unrecognized.
  • These noncanonical interactions represent a significant, yet underappreciated, layer of gene expression control.

Conclusions:

  • The nuclear function of miRNAs in regulating noncoding RNAs represents a paradigm shift in understanding gene regulation.
  • This noncanonical pathway offers new avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting gene expression.
  • Further research is warranted to fully decipher the scope and mechanisms of nuclear miRNA activity.