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The magic and mystery of miR-21
Edward E. Morrisey
Edward E. Morrisey
Published October 18, 2010
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2010;120(11):3817-3819. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI44596.
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Commentary

The magic and mystery of miR-21

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Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potent regulators of mRNA stability and thereby protein expression. As such, miRNAs have become of interest as possible therapeutics and/or therapeutic targets. In this context, small complementary miRNA sequences known as antagomirs could be used to inhibit miRNA activity, while miRNA mimics could confer gain-of-function activity. However, a note of caution is sounded by Patrick et al. in this issue of the JCI, as they show that although recent reports have suggested that an miR-21 antagomir might be therapeutically useful in preventing heart failure in mice, genetic deletion of miR-21 does not confer a similar phenotype, suggesting possible confounding factors that are only now beginning to be revealed in the techniques used to study miRNA biology.

Authors

Edward E. Morrisey

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Figure 1

Biogenesis of miRNAs.

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Biogenesis of miRNAs.
miRNAs are transcribed as 70-bp precursor products...
miRNAs are transcribed as 70-bp precursor products that are processed into the mature 22-bp products by the Drosha and Dicer RNA-processing enzymes. The mature products interact with the multiprotein RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and bind to complementary sequences found in target mRNAs.

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ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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