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Related Concept Videos

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 the pre-miRNA...
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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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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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As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
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RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Identifying Targets of Human microRNAs with the LightSwitch Luciferase Assay System using 3'UTR-reporter Constructs and a microRNA Mimic in Adherent Cells
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Pervasive Selection against MicroRNA Target Sites in Human Populations.

Andrea Hatlen1, Antonio Marco1

  • 1School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom.

Molecular Biology and Evolution
|June 26, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Selection actively removes new microRNA target sites, especially for highly expressed microRNAs. This evolutionary pressure favors non-target sites, influencing genomic sequence evolution.

Keywords:
evolutionmicroRNAspopulation geneticspurifying selectiontarget sites

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • MicroRNA (miRNA) target sites are generally conserved due to purifying selection.
  • However, a lack of miRNA target sites in coexpressed transcripts suggests novel sites may be detrimental.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of selection against the gain of novel miRNA target sites.
  • To determine the influence of miRNA expression levels on selection against target sites.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of derived allele frequencies in human populations.
  • Examination of population differentiation (Fst) in relation to miRNA target site status (ancestral vs. derived).
  • Correlation of selection pressures with miRNA expression levels.

Main Results:

  • Derived alleles creating new miRNA target sites are less common than expected, particularly for highly expressed miRNAs.
  • Selection against novel miRNA target sites is evident, with stronger pressure correlating with higher miRNA expression.
  • Population differentiation is more pronounced when target sites are lost compared to when they are gained.

Conclusions:

  • Selection against the emergence of new miRNA target sites is a significant evolutionary force.
  • While individual sites may experience weak selection, their cumulative effect on untranslated regions is substantial.
  • Understanding selection against novel miRNA target sites is crucial for studying genomic sequence evolution.