RNA G-quadruplexes regulate mammalian mirtron biogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Mirtrons are a predominant class of noncanonical microRNAs derived from introns through a Drosha-independent, splicing-dependent pathway. Unregulated splicing of introns containing hairpins may adversely impact Dicer/Ago-mediated canonical microRNA biogenesis. However, the mechanism regulating mirtron biogenesis remains poorly understood. We found that the 5' arm of plant mirtrons and invertebrate mirtrons are enriched for uracils; in contrast, the 5' arm of vertebrate mirtrons are enriched for guanines. Further analysis revealed that most of the mammalian mirtrons contain an RNA G-quadruplex (rG4); this was not observed among plant/invertebrate mirtrons. Interestingly, almost all the rG4s in mammalian mirtrons were present in the 5' arm. Predicted rG4s in human mirtrons form a G-quadruple

SUBMITTER: Salim U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11927685 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature