Modulation of microRNA expression and function by ADARs

BE Wulff, K Nishikura - Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA (ADARs) …, 2011 - Springer
BE Wulff, K Nishikura
Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA (ADARs) and A-to-I Editing, 2011Springer
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by
preventing the translation of specific messenger RNAs. Adenosine deaminases acting on
RNAs (ADARs) catalyze adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, the conversion of
adenosines into inosines, in double-stranded RNAs. Because inosine preferentially base
pairs with cytidine, this conversion is equivalent to an adenosine to guanosine change. Over
the past seven years, an increasing number of edited adenosines have been identified in …
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by preventing the translation of specific messenger RNAs. Adenosine deaminases acting on RNAs (ADARs) catalyze adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, the conversion of adenosines into inosines, in double-stranded RNAs. Because inosine preferentially base pairs with cytidine, this conversion is equivalent to an adenosine to guanosine change. Over the past seven years, an increasing number of edited adenosines have been identified in miRNAs. Editing of miRNAs affects their biogenesis, causes their degradation or alters the set of messenger RNAs that they regulate. Recently, ADARs have been shown to also affect the miRNA phenomenon by sequestering miRNAs or by editing the messenger RNAs they regulate. This article reviews the recent attempts to identify miRNA editing sites and elucidate the effects of ADARs on miRNA expression and function.
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