Human microRNAs target a functionally distinct population of genes with AT-rich 3' UTRs.

ABSTRACT: While investigating microRNA targets, we have found that human genes divide into two roughly equal populations, based on the fraction of A plus T bases in their 3' UTRs. Using the Gene Ontology database, we find significant functional differences between the two gene populations, with AT-rich genes implicated in transcription and translation processes, and GC-rich genes implicated in signal transduction and posttranslational protein modification. Better understanding of the background distribution of nucleotides in 3' UTRs may allow improved prediction of microRNA-targeted genes in humans. We predict at least 1,200 KnownGene transcripts to be regulated by microRNAs. The large majority of these microRNA targets are in the AT-rich 3' UTR population. However, notwithstanding this preference f

SUBMITTER: Robins H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1257391 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature