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Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

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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...
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MicroRNAs01:22

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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...
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Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

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Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps02:24

Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps

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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.
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Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

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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...
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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

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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...
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mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation
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Moving towards totipotency without a single miR-acle.

Noam Maoz1, Yosef Buganim1

  • 1Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.

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|March 11, 2017
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Researchers found that removing microRNA miR-34a from pluripotent stem cells expanded their potential, enabling differentiation into both embryonic and extraembryonic lineages. This discovery advances understanding of totipotency and in vitro embryo development.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Totipotency, the capacity of a single cell to generate a complete organism including extraembryonic tissues, remains a significant challenge for in vitro recapitulation.
  • MicroRNAs play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and cellular differentiation pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microRNA miR-34a in regulating the cell fate potential of pluripotent stem cells.
  • To determine if the absence of miR-34a can confer an expanded differentiation capacity, mimicking totipotency.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized pluripotent stem cells genetically modified to lack the microRNA miR-34a.
  • Assessed the differentiation potential of these modified cells towards both embryonic and extraembryonic lineages.

Main Results:

  • Pluripotent stem cells deficient in miR-34a demonstrated an enhanced cell fate potential.
  • These cells successfully differentiated into not only embryonic lineages but also extraembryonic lineages, a key component of totipotency.

Conclusions:

  • MicroRNA miR-34a acts as a critical regulator limiting the differentiation potential of pluripotent stem cells.
  • The absence of miR-34a facilitates the expansion of cell fate, paving the way for potential in vitro totipotency models.