Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 14, 2026

A Reverse Genetic Approach to Test Functional Redundancy During Embryogenesis
06:59

A Reverse Genetic Approach to Test Functional Redundancy During Embryogenesis

Published on: August 11, 2010

12.5K

Functional Redundancy of DICER Cofactors TARBP2 and PRKRA During Murine Embryogenesis Does Not Involve miRNA

Sri Ramulu N Pullagura1,2, Bill Buaas1, Nichelle Gray1

  • 1The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609.

Genetics
|February 23, 2018
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA (miRNA) processing in vivo requires TARBP2 and PRKRA. While single mutants survive, double mutants show developmental defects, indicating genetic redundancy. However, this redundancy doesn't involve miRNA biogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Canonical microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis involves DICER cofactors TARBP2 and PRKRA for pre-miRNA processing in vitro.
  • The in vivo roles and potential functional redundancy of TARBP2 and PRKRA in miRNA biogenesis remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vivo functions of TARBP2 and PRKRA in miRNA biogenesis.
  • To determine the extent of functional redundancy between TARBP2 and PRKRA during embryonic development.

Main Methods:

  • Generation and analysis of Tarbp2 and Prkra single and double mutant mice.
  • Phenotypic characterization of mutant embryos at various developmental stages.
  • miRNA sequencing in single-mutant embryos to assess changes in abundance and isomiR profiles.

Main Results:

  • Single Tarbp2 and Prkra mutant mice exhibit distinct phenotypes, with some surviving postnatally.
  • Tarbp2;Prkra double mutants show significantly reduced survival rates beyond embryonic day 12.5, suggesting genetic redundancy.
  • miRNA sequencing revealed altered miRNA abundance and isomiR types in Tarbp2 mutant embryos, but not in Prkra mutants, indicating TARBP2's role in miRNA biogenesis for a subset of miRNAs.

Conclusions:

  • TARBP2, but not PRKRA, plays a direct role in the biogenesis of a subclass of miRNAs in vivo.
  • Genetic redundancy between TARBP2 and PRKRA during embryonic development does not appear to be mediated through miRNA biogenesis.
  • These findings highlight distinct and overlapping functions of TARBP2 and PRKRA in mouse development and miRNA pathways.
Keywords:
DICERPACTPRKRATARBP2miRNA

More Related Videos

A Method for Characterizing Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis10:24

A Method for Characterizing Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis

Published on: August 4, 2017

11.9K
Visualizing Neuroblast Cytokinesis During C. elegans Embryogenesis09:52

Visualizing Neuroblast Cytokinesis During C. elegans Embryogenesis

Published on: March 12, 2014

12.4K

Related Concept Videos

Cofactors and Coenzymes01:27

Cofactors and Coenzymes

Enzymes require additional components for proper function. There are two such classes of molecules: cofactors and coenzymes. Cofactors are metallic ions and coenzymes are non-protein organic molecules. Both of these types of helper molecule can be tightly bound to the enzyme or bound only when the substrate binds.
87.7K
Cofactors and Coenzymes01:24

Cofactors and Coenzymes

Enzymes are proteins made of amino acids. The functional group of each constituent amino acid catalyzes a wide variety of chemical reactions via ionic interactions or acid-base reactions. However, amino acids cannot catalyze oxidation-reduction and group transfer reactions and need to be aided by non-protein components called cofactors. Cofactors are also referred to as the chemical teeth of an enzyme.
Cofactors can be metallic ions or organic molecules called coenzymes. These types of helper...
12.9K
piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

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...
7.7K
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
1.6K
Functional Groups02:45

Functional Groups

Functional groups are a group of atoms with characteristic properties, which when linked to the carbon skeleton of a molecule, alter the properties of that molecule. For example, the presence of certain functional groups on a molecule will make them hydrophilic, whereas others will make them hydrophobic. These functional groups are an indispensable part of organic chemistry and important components of biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Each...
89.6K
Functional Groups02:45

Functional Groups

24.6K