Sequence features associated with microRNA strand selection in humans and flies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During microRNA (miRNA) maturation in humans and flies, Drosha and Dicer cut the precursor transcript, thereby producing a short RNA duplex. One strand of this duplex becomes a functional component of the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC), while the other is eliminated. While thermodynamic asymmetry of the duplex ends appears to play a decisive role in the strand selection process, the details of the selection mechanism are not yet understood.

Results

Here, we assess miRNA strand selection bias in humans and fruit flies by analyzing the sequence composition and relative expression levels of the two strands of the precursor duplex in these species. We find that the sequence elements associated with preferential miRNA strand selection and/or rejection differ betw

SUBMITTER: Hu HY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2751786 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature