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Related Concept Videos

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...
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Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, 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.
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Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can be...
Ribozymes02:47

Ribozymes

The term ribozyme is used for RNA that can act as an enzyme. Ribozymes are mainly found in selected viruses, bacteria, plant organelles, and lower eukaryotes. Ribozymes were first discovered in 1982 when Tom Cech’s laboratory observed Group I introns acting as enzymes. This was shortly followed by the discovery of another ribozyme, Ribonulcease P, by Sid Altman’s laboratory. Both Cech and Altman received the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1989 for their work on ribozymes.
Ribozymes can be...
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...

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Highly Efficient Ligation of Small RNA Molecules for MicroRNA Quantitation by High-Throughput Sequencing
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Published on: November 18, 2014

Natural RNA circles function as efficient microRNA sponges.

Thomas B Hansen1, Trine I Jensen, Bettina H Clausen

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Alle 3, 8000C, Aarhus, Denmark.

Nature
|March 1, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) can act as miRNA sponges. A novel circRNA, ciRS-7, functions as a potent sponge for microRNA-7 (miR-7), impacting gene expression in the brain.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.
  • miRNA activity can be modulated by competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and target mimicry.
  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules with regulatory potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of a highly expressed circRNA in the human and mouse brain.
  • To determine if this circRNA acts as a miRNA sponge.
  • To explore the implications of circRNA-mediated miRNA sponging in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Identification and characterization of a novel circRNA (ciRS-7).
  • Assessment of ciRS-7 interaction with Argonaute (AGO) proteins and miR-7.
  • Analysis of ciRS-7's effect on miR-7 activity and target gene expression.
  • In vivo co-expression analysis of ciRS-7 and miR-7 in mouse brain.
  • Investigation of another circRNA (Sry) as a miRNA sponge.

Main Results:

  • A novel circRNA, ciRS-7, was identified and shown to contain numerous miR-7 target sites.
  • ciRS-7 associates with AGO proteins in a miR-7-dependent manner.
  • ciRS-7 functions as a potent miR-7 sponge, suppressing miR-7 activity and increasing miR-7 target levels.
  • Overlapping expression of ciRS-7 and miR-7 was observed in specific mouse brain regions.
  • The circRNA Sry was demonstrated to act as a miR-138 sponge, indicating a general phenomenon.

Conclusions:

  • Circular RNAs can function as endogenous miRNA sponges.
  • ciRS-7 is a functional sponge for miR-7, regulating its activity in the brain.
  • CircRNA formation represents a general mechanism for miRNA sponging and gene regulation.