Comprehensive analysis of microRNA genomic loci identifies pervasive repetitive-element origins.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that generally function as negative regulators of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) at the posttranscriptional level. MiRs bind to the 3'UTR of target mRNAs through complementary base pairing, resulting in target mRNA cleavage or translation repression. To date, over 15,000 distinct miRs have been identified in organisms ranging from viruses to man and interest in miR research continues to intensify. Of note, the most enlightening aspect of miR function-the mRNAs they target-continues to be elusive. Descriptions of the molecular origins of independent miR molecules currently support the hypothesis that miR hairpin generation is based on the adjacent insertion of two related transposable elements (TEs) at one genomic locus. Thus transcription across su

SUBMITTER: Borchert GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3190270 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature