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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...

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability

RNA Stability

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...

RNA Stability

RNA Stability

Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method

Published on: October 7, 2025

Specific miRNA stabilization by Gld2-catalyzed monoadenylation.

Andrea D'Ambrogio¹, Weifeng Gu, Tsuyoshi Udagawa

¹Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.

|December 4, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Gld2 enzyme directly adds a tail to specific microRNAs (miRNAs), stabilizing them and controlling gene expression. This monoadenylation mechanism impacts miRNA levels and function in human cells.

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

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Published on: June 12, 2018

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
RNA Biology
Gene Regulation

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression, controlling protein synthesis and mRNA degradation.
The stability of mature miRNAs is determined by complex post-transcriptional processes, including transcription, processing, and turnover.
The enzyme Gld2 has been previously linked to microRNA stability, specifically miR-122, via 3' monoadenylation, but a direct causal link remained unproven.

Purpose of the Study:

To biochemically investigate the role of Gld2 in microRNA monoadenylation.
To determine the effect of Gld2-mediated monoadenylation on microRNA stability.
To elucidate the mechanism by which Gld2 influences post-transcriptional gene regulation.

Main Methods:

Biochemical characterization of Gld2 activity in human fibroblasts.
Assays to measure microRNA monoadenylation and stability.
Analysis of nucleotide sequences at the 3' end of microRNAs to assess Gld2 substrate specificity.

Main Results:

Gld2 directly catalyzes the monoadenylation of specific microRNA populations in human cells.
Monoadenylation by Gld2 leads to increased stability of these targeted microRNAs.
The susceptibility of microRNAs to this stability-enhancing modification is dependent on the nucleotide composition at their 3' terminus.

Conclusions:

Gld2-mediated 3' monoadenylation represents a novel mechanism for regulating microRNA stability.
This process establishes a direct link between enzymatic activity and post-transcriptional gene silencing.
The findings provide a deeper understanding of how microRNA levels are controlled, impacting overall gene expression regulation.