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Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

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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pre-mRNA Processing

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In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl...
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Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends01:35

Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends

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In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a cap to the 5' end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5' phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached (7-methyl guanosine). This 5' cap helps...
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Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins01:39

Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins

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Mitochondrial precursors are partially unfolded or loosely folded polypeptide chains. Newly synthesized precursors are inhibited from spontaneously folding into their native conformation by the cytosolic chaperones, heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70), and mitochondrial import stimulation factors (MSFs). Precursors bound to MSFs are guided to the TOM70-TOM37 receptors, while precursors bound to Hsp70  chaperones are targetted to TOM20-TOM22 receptor complexes.
Most of the mitochondrial...
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Nucleic Acid Structure01:25

Nucleic Acid Structure

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The pentose sugar in DNA is deoxyribose, while in RNA the pentose sugar is ribose. The difference between the sugars is the presence of the hydroxyl group on the ribose's second carbon and a hydrogen on the deoxyribose's second carbon. The phosphate residue attaches to the hydroxyl group of the 5′ carbon of one sugar and the hydroxyl group of the 3′ carbon of the sugar of the next nucleotide, which forms  a 5′ to 3′ phosphodiester linkage.
DNA Structure
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piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs02:57

piRNA - Piwi-interacting RNAs

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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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A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells
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The double-stranded microRNA precursor.

Elisabetta Scarfiello1, Julian Eichlinger1, Gunter Meister1

  • 1Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.

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|July 17, 2024
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs crucial for gene regulation. This review details the specific features and factors, including RNA structure and proteins, that guide their precise processing from precursor molecules.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.
  • Their biogenesis involves processing double-stranded RNA precursors by Drosha and Dicer enzymes.
  • Cells possess mechanisms to ensure correct miRNA precursor processing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the features that regulate miRNA biogenesis.
  • To summarize the sequence motifs, RNA structures, and protein factors involved.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview of miRNA precursor processing.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of miRNA biogenesis pathways.
  • Analysis of sequence and structural features of miRNA precursors.
  • Identification of trans-acting factors influencing miRNA processing.

Main Results:

  • Specific sequence motifs and local RNA structures guide miRNA precursor selection.
  • Trans-acting factors, such as RNA binding proteins, play critical roles.
  • A defined set of features ensures accurate processing into mature miRNAs.

Conclusions:

  • miRNA biogenesis is a highly regulated process.
  • Understanding these regulatory features is essential for miRNA research.
  • This review consolidates current knowledge on miRNA processing determinants.