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Highly Efficient Ligation of Small RNA Molecules for MicroRNA Quantitation by High-Throughput Sequencing
Published on: November 18, 2014
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Widespread mono- and oligoadenylation direct small noncoding RNA maturation versus degradation fates
Cody Ocheltree1, Blake Skrable1, Anastasia Pimentel1
1Department of Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
The EMBO Journal
|December 5, 2025
Summary
Human small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) undergo 3'-end adenylation, a process involving mono- or oligoadenylation. These modifications influence sncRNA stability and biogenesis, impacting their ultimate cellular functions.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- RNA Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression.
- Their maturation involves complex processing steps, including 3 eal-end modifications.
- Understanding these modifications is key to deciphering sncRNA biogenesis and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To globally investigate the dynamics of human sncRNA 3 eal-end processing.
- To identify the types and impacts of 3 eal-end modifications on sncRNA fate.
- To elucidate the roles of specific polymerases in sncRNA adenylation.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide 3 eal-end sequencing of newly transcribed and steady-state sncRNAs.
- Analysis of adenylation patterns and associated RNA types.
- Investigating the functional consequences of monoadenylation on specific sncRNAs.
Main Results:
- Widespread post-transcriptional adenylation of newly transcribed human sncRNAs was observed.
- Two distinct types of adenylation were identified: transient oligoadenylation (TENT4A/4B) and stable monoadenylation (TENT2).
- Monoadenylation impacts Pol-III RNA processing and promotes 7SL RNA biogenesis for signal recognition particles.
Conclusions:
- Human sncRNA biogenesis involves extensive mono- and oligoadenylation.
- These modifications have divergent effects on sncRNA stability, processing, and function.
- The study reveals novel regulatory mechanisms in sncRNA maturation and fate determination.
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