Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Functional Groups

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...

Functional Groups

Functional Groups

Functionalism

Functionalism

William James, John Dewey, and Charles Sanders Peirce were instrumental in founding functional psychology, which draws heavily from Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. This theory suggests that individual traits, including behaviors, are adapted to their environments through natural selection. At the heart of functionalism is the concept of adaptation, meaning that a trait enhances an individual's chances of survival and reproduction.
James envisioned psychology's...

Mechanical Protein Functions

Mechanical Protein Functions

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force.

Structural Protein Function

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity. In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to...

Hyperbolic Functions

Hyperbolic Functions

A flexible cable suspended between two points at the same height naturally forms a curve known as a catenary. This shape results from the balance between the cable’s weight and the tension acting along its length, representing a state of mechanical equilibrium. Unlike simpler approximations, the true shape of a hanging cable is described using hyperbolic functions.Hyperbolic functions are closely related to exponential functions and are named for their connection to the geometry of the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

On the potential origin of the zygote-like cancer stem cell with a focus on fusion for cell rescue.

Frontiers in cell and developmental biology·2026

Same author

Serglycin modulates inflammation and metabolism in macrophages.

iScience·2026

Same author

β-Adrenergic Signaling Promotes Anti-Tumor Immunity in TP53-mutant Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026

Same author

Stress-specific NONO interactomes reveal a key role of Hsp70 chaperone activity in regulation of paraspeckle formation.

Journal of cell science·2025

Same author

Growth Hormone Alters Remapping in the Hippocampal Area CA1 in a Novel Environment.

eNeuro·2025

Same author

DNA methylation classifier to diagnose pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma metastases from different anatomical sites.

Clinical epigenetics·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

SnapShot: Unconventional miRNA Functions.

Mihnea Paul Dragomir¹, Erik Knutsen¹, George Adrian Calin¹

¹Department of Experimental Therapeutics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

|August 11, 2018

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) typically repress gene expression. This review explores emerging evidence of miRNAs functioning through unconventional regulatory mechanisms beyond standard post-transcriptional repression.

More Related Videos

Genetic Engineering of an Unconventional Yeast for Renewable Biofuel and Biochemical Production

Genetic Engineering of an Unconventional Yeast for Renewable Biofuel and Biochemical Production

Published on: September 20, 2016

Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy

Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy

Published on: October 4, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 6, 2026

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

mirMachine: A One-Stop Shop for Plant miRNA Annotation

Published on: May 1, 2021

Genetic Engineering of an Unconventional Yeast for Renewable Biofuel and Biochemical Production

Genetic Engineering of an Unconventional Yeast for Renewable Biofuel and Biochemical Production

Published on: September 20, 2016

Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy

Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy

Published on: October 4, 2019

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Epigenetics

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are established regulators of gene expression.
Their canonical function involves post-transcriptional repression of target messenger RNAs.
Recent findings suggest alternative regulatory roles for miRNAs.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize and highlight non-canonical functions of microRNAs.
To provide an overview of miRNA regulatory mechanisms beyond gene silencing.
To consolidate current knowledge on unconventional miRNA activities.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent scientific studies.
Analysis of reported experimental evidence for miRNA functions.
Synthesis of findings on diverse miRNA regulatory pathways.

Main Results:

Identification of multiple unconventional miRNA regulatory mechanisms.
Examples of miRNAs acting as transcriptional activators or repressors.
Evidence for miRNAs involved in non-coding RNA regulation and other pathways.

Conclusions:

MicroRNAs exhibit a broader range of regulatory functions than previously understood.
These unconventional roles expand the complexity of gene regulation.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate these novel miRNA functions.