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Related Concept Videos

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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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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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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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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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Translational Regulation01:29

Translational Regulation

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Translational regulation in prokaryotes ensures efficient protein synthesis by controlling ribosome access to mRNA. This regulation is mediated by secondary RNA structures, including translational riboswitches, RNA thermometers, and small RNAs (sRNAs), which respond to intracellular and environmental signals to modulate gene expression.Translational RiboswitchesRiboswitches in the leader region of mRNAs can regulate translation by altering the accessibility of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence,...
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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: Nov 11, 2025

Application of RNAi and Heat-shock-induced Transcription Factor Expression to Reprogram Germ Cells to Neurons in C. elegans
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microRNA-mediated translation repression through GYF-1 and IFE-4 in C. elegans development.

Vinay K Mayya1,2, Mathieu N Flamand1,2, Alice M Lambert1,2

  • 1Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal H3G 1Y6, Canada.

Nucleic Acids Research
|March 24, 2021
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Summary

Researchers identified GYF-1 as a key microRNA (miRNA) effector protein in C. elegans. This protein directly represses translation, playing a vital role in animal development and miRNA function.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • MicroRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene silencing is crucial for animal development.
  • The specific roles of translational repression versus mRNA degradation in miRNA function are not fully understood.
  • Key effector proteins mediating these processes remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel effector proteins involved in miRNA-mediated gene silencing in *Caenorhabditis elegans*.
  • To elucidate the mechanism and physiological importance of miRNA-mediated translational repression.
  • To determine the specificity of identified miRNA effector proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomic surveys to identify protein interactions.
  • In vitro and in vivo mRNA reporter assays to assess protein function.
  • Genetic analysis using loss-of-function mutants and engineered mutations.
  • Synthetic lethality assays to evaluate genetic interactions.

Main Results:

  • The uncharacterized protein GYF-1, containing a GYF domain, was identified as a key miRNA effector.
  • GYF-1 directly interacts with IFE-4, the *C. elegans* ortholog of mammalian 4EHP.
  • Recruitment of GYF-1 mediates potent translational repression without impacting mRNA stability or poly(A) tail length.
  • Loss of *gyf-1* function is synthetically lethal with specific miRNA mutations (miR-35-42 and *let-7*), and this phenotype is dependent on GYF-1's interaction with IFE-4.
  • GYF-1's function was found to be specific to certain miRNA pathways, not affecting lin-4 or lsy-6.

Conclusions:

  • GYF-1 is the first identified direct effector of miRNA-mediated translational repression in *C. elegans*.
  • This mechanism is physiologically important for the function of specific miRNAs during development.
  • The findings highlight the distinct roles of translational repression and mRNA degradation in miRNA activity.