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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...
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

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...
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...
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
09:06

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

Published on: October 7, 2025

Small molecules modulating biogenesis or processing of microRNAs with therapeutic potentials.

J Li1, W Zhang, M Zhou

  • 1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Lab of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Nanjing University, China.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|June 11, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Small molecules can regulate microRNAs (miRNAs), which are key gene regulators. This review covers small-molecule miRNA modulators, their screening, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential for diseases.

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Last Updated: May 10, 2026

MicroRNA Amplification and Recognition through Locked-nucleic-acid In situ Hybridization as a Novel Detection and Quantification Method
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Published on: October 7, 2025

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Published on: June 15, 2018

Biotin-based Pulldown Assay to Validate mRNA Targets of Cellular miRNAs
11:00

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

Published on: June 12, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level.
  • miRNAs influence nearly all genetic pathways and are vital in physiological and pathological processes.
  • Dysregulation of miRNAs is implicated in various diseases, highlighting their therapeutic relevance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review small molecules that modulate microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis or function.
  • To emphasize screening methods for identifying these small-molecule regulators.
  • To discuss proposed mechanisms of action and therapeutic potentials of identified compounds.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies reporting small-molecule regulators of miRNAs.
  • Analysis of screening systems used for identifying miRNA modulators.
  • Evaluation of proposed mechanisms and demonstrated therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

  • Several small-molecule regulators of miRNAs have been identified using recent screening systems.
  • These molecules act as specific or universal regulators of miRNA activity.
  • Therapeutic potential of these small molecules in disease contexts has been demonstrated.

Conclusions:

  • Small molecules offer promising tools for probing miRNA-mediated networks.
  • Disease-related miRNA modulators hold significant potential as novel therapeutic agents.
  • Further research into small-molecule miRNA regulators could lead to new treatment strategies.