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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...

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...

Translational Regulation

Translational Regulation

Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

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

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

Published on: June 12, 2018

Translational repression and eIF4A2 activity are critical for microRNA-mediated gene regulation.

H A Meijer¹, Y W Kong, W T Lu

¹Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|April 6, 2013

Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) primarily inhibit translation before degrading messenger RNAs (mRNAs). This process involves the eIF4A2 RNA helicase and requires specific mRNA structures for repression.

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Last Updated: May 12, 2026

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

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Published on: June 12, 2018

Monitoring eIF4F Assembly by Measuring eIF4E-eIF4G Interaction in Live Cells

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Published on: May 1, 2020

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Gene Regulation
RNA Biology

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally.
Mechanisms of miRNA-mediated translational repression and mRNA degradation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the molecular interplay between miRNA-induced translational repression and mRNA degradation.
To identify key factors and mRNA features involved in miRNA-mediated gene silencing.

Main Methods:

Investigated the sequential events in miRNA-mediated gene silencing.
Assessed the role of the eIF4F complex and its component eIF4A2.
Correlated miRNA target site location with mRNA 5'UTR and 3'UTR structures.

Main Results:

Translational inhibition is the initial step preceding mRNA degradation.
miRNAs impair the eIF4F initiation complex, specifically through the RNA helicase eIF4A2.
mRNA secondary structures in the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) are crucial for miRNA repression; unstructured 5'UTRs confer refractoriness.

Conclusions:

A linear model of miRNA action is proposed: translational repression via eIF4A2 is essential, followed by mRNA destabilization.
eIF4A2 is a critical mediator of miRNA function in gene regulation.
mRNA structural elements significantly influence susceptibility to miRNA-mediated silencing.