Post-embryonic expression of C. elegans microRNAs belonging to the lin-4 and let-7 families in the hypodermis and the reproductive system.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory molecules that negatively control gene expression by binding to complementary sequences on target mRNAs. The most thoroughly characterized miRNAs, lin-4 and let-7, direct cell fate determination during the larval transitions in C. elegans and act as key regulators of temporal gene expression. lin-4 and let-7 are founding members of two distinct families of miRNA genes sharing strong sequence homology primarily in the 5' end of the mature miRNAs. In this report, we characterize the temporal and spatial expression patterns of lin-4 and let-7 family members using northern blot analysis and mir::gfp fusion studies. Our results show that lin-4 and let-7 homologues possess distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns during nematode development and that kno

SUBMITTER: Esquela-Kerscher A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2572564 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature