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MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 5, 2025

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay EMSA and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay DAPA

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay EMSA and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay DAPA

Published on: August 21, 2016

In silico prioritisation of microRNA-associated common variants in multiple sclerosis.

Ifeolutembi A Fashina^1,2,3, Claire E McCoy¹, Simon J Furney⁴

¹School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

|March 29, 2023

Summary

This study investigated microRNA variants in multiple sclerosis (MS) using large genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We identified 30 candidate variants, highlighting their potential role in MS pathogenesis and non-coding RNA regulation.

Keywords:

3′UTR binding sites Common variants GWAS Non-coding RNA Seed microRNA microRNA–target prediction

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Last Updated: Aug 5, 2025

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay EMSA and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay DAPA

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In Vivo Functional Study of Disease-associated Rare Human Variants Using Drosophila

In Vivo Functional Study of Disease-associated Rare Human Variants Using Drosophila

Published on: August 20, 2019

Area of Science:

Genetics
Molecular Biology
Neuroscience

Background:

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 200 autosomal variants linked to multiple sclerosis (MS).
MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation is implicated in MS, yet miRNA-associated variants remain underexplored.
This research leverages the largest publicly available MS GWAS data (47,429 cases, 68,374 controls).

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the impact of microRNA-associated variants on multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility.
To identify and prioritize single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting miRNA function or their target binding sites.
To investigate the role of non-coding RNA variation in MS pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

Identified SNPs within miRNA coordinates, flanking regions, and predicted 3'UTR target sites using miRBase, TargetScan, RNA22, and dbSNP.
Intersected miRNA-associated SNPs with MS GWAS summary statistics to identify candidate variants.
Prioritized SNPs based on known MS associations, linkage disequilibrium, or miRNA-specific thresholds, and predicted their functional effects using TargetScan, miRVaS, and ADmiRE.

Main Results:

Identified 30 candidate microRNA-associated variants meeting prioritization criteria.
Highlighted specific variants: rs1414273 (MIR548AC) and 3'UTR binding site variants in SLC2A4RG (rs6742), CD27 (rs1059501), MMEL1 (rs881640), and BCL2L13 (rs2587100).
Determined the predicted effects of these prioritized SNPs on miRNA stability and target recognition.

Conclusions:

Systematically examined the functional, structural, and regulatory effects of candidate MS variants in miRNAs and their 3'UTR targets.
Identified candidate microRNA-associated MS SNPs, emphasizing the value of prioritizing non-coding RNA variation in GWAS.
These findings suggest that candidate SNPs may influence miRNA regulation in MS patients, representing the first comprehensive investigation of its kind in MS.