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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...
Nucleic Acid Structure01:25

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
DNA has a double-helix structure. 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...
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors01:52

Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors

Certain biochemical processes, such as embryonic development and cell growth regulation, depend on the repression of specific genes. DNA binding proteins known as eukaryotic transcription inhibitors regulate the repression of gene expression in eukaryotes. The presence of these inhibitors at the required location and time in the cell is triggered by the presence of hormones and additional signals from other cells.
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a DNA...

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Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs
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Does base-pairing strength play a role in microRNA repression?

Ido Carmel1, Noam Shomron, Yael Heifetz

  • 1Department of Entomology, The Hebrew University, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)
|September 29, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Organisms with higher body temperatures have microRNAs (miRNAs) with higher G/C content, strengthening miRNA-target binding. This suggests base-pairing strength is crucial for miRNA gene silencing efficiency.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression, silencing targets via mRNA degradation or translational repression.
  • The stability of the miRNA-target duplex, influenced by base-pairing strength, is critical for effective gene silencing.
  • Understanding factors affecting miRNA functionality is essential for deciphering gene regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between physiological temperature and the G/C content of microRNAs (miRNAs).
  • To determine if base-pairing strength, indicated by G/C content, influences miRNA repression efficacy across different organisms.
  • To explore evolutionary trends in miRNA G/C content in relation to temperature and function.

Main Methods:

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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
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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

Published on: September 28, 2011

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  • Comparative analysis of miRNA G/C content across nine model organisms with varying physiological temperatures.
  • Examination of G/C content differences between ancient and recent miRNAs in homeotherms and poikilotherms.
  • Correlation analysis between G/C content and functional regions of miRNAs (seed, mature, pre-miRNA loops).

    • Main Results:

    • A significant positive correlation was found between average miRNA G/C content and organismal physiological temperature.
    • Homeotherms showed higher G/C content in recent miRNAs compared to ancient ones, while poikilotherms exhibited the inverse trend.
    • G/C content increased progressively from pre-miRNA loops to mature miRNAs and then to miRNA seed sequences.

    Conclusions:

    • Physiological temperature is a significant factor influencing miRNA G/C content and thus base-pairing strength.
    • Evolutionary pressures related to temperature appear to shape miRNA G/C content, impacting gene silencing mechanisms.
    • The observed G/C content gradient across miRNA regions suggests a direct link between base-pairing strength and regulatory functionality.