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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...

Experimental RNAi

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

PIWI-interacting RNAs, or piRNAs, are the most abundant short non-coding RNAs. More than 20,000 genes have been found in humans that code for piRNAs while only 2000 genes have been found for miRNAs. piRNAs can act at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and have a vital role in silencing transposable elements present in germ cells. They are also involved in epigenetic silencing and activation. Previously, they were thought to function only in germ cells but new evidence suggests...

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

Insect microRNAs: biogenesis, expression profiling and biological functions.

Keira Lucas¹, Alexander S Raikhel

¹Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. kneum001@ucr.edu

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

|November 21, 2012

Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small RNA molecules regulating gene expression. Understanding their roles in insects beyond Drosophila is crucial for advancing gene regulation research.

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Last Updated: May 16, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

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Published on: May 1, 2021

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

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Published on: June 12, 2018

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay

Detection of miRNA Targets in High-throughput Using the 3'LIFE Assay

Published on: May 25, 2015

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Developmental Biology

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous regulatory RNA molecules (21-24 nucleotides) controlling gene expression post-transcriptionally.
miRNAs bind to messenger RNAs (mRNAs), typically in the 3' untranslated region, affecting translation or mRNA stability.
First discovered in *Caenorhabditis elegans*, miRNAs are vital in gene regulation across diverse organisms, including plants, fungi, and viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the significance of microRNAs in gene regulation.
To emphasize the importance and challenges in elucidating miRNA roles in non-drosophilid insects.

Main Methods:

Small RNA cloning methods for miRNA identification.
Computational prediction algorithms for identifying potential miRNAs.
Functional studies to determine miRNA roles in gene regulation.

Main Results:

Thousands of miRNAs have been identified across various species.
miRNAs play critical roles in invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, fungi, and viruses.
Significant functions of miRNAs have been established in *Drosophila melanogaster*.

Conclusions:

MicroRNAs are fundamental regulators of gene expression with broad biological relevance.
Further research is essential to uncover the specific functions of miRNAs in insects outside the *Drosophila* genus.