Uridylation of mature miRNAs and siRNAs by the MUT68 nucleotidyltransferase promotes their degradation in Chlamydomonas.

ABSTRACT: Regulation of gene expression by small RNAs ( approximately 20-30 nucleotides in length) plays an essential role in developmental pathways and defense responses against genomic parasites in eukaryotes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) commonly direct the inactivation of cognate sequences through a variety of mechanisms, including RNA degradation, translation inhibition, and transcriptional repression. Recent studies have provided considerable insight into the biogenesis and the mode of action of miRNAs and siRNAs. However, relatively little is known about mechanisms of quality control and small RNA decay in RNA interference (RNAi) pathways. Here we show that deletion of MUT68, encoding a terminal nucleotidyltransferase in the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, results in

SUBMITTER: Ibrahim F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2840426 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature