LIN-42, the Caenorhabditis elegans PERIOD homolog, negatively regulates microRNA transcription.

ABSTRACT: During C. elegans development, microRNAs (miRNAs) function as molecular switches that define temporal gene expression and cell lineage patterns in a dosage-dependent manner. It is critical, therefore, that the expression of miRNAs be tightly regulated so that target mRNA expression is properly controlled. The molecular mechanisms that function to optimize or control miRNA levels during development are unknown. Here we find that mutations in lin-42, the C. elegans homolog of the circadian-related period gene, suppress multiple dosage-dependent miRNA phenotypes including those involved in developmental timing and neuronal cell fate determination. Analysis of mature miRNA levels in lin-42 mutants indicates that lin-42 functions to attenuate miRNA expression. Through the analysis of transcript

SUBMITTER: Perales R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4102445 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature