MicroRNA function: multiple mechanisms for a tiny RNA?

RS Pillai - Rna, 2005 - rnajournal.cshlp.org
RS Pillai
Rna, 2005rnajournal.cshlp.org
MicroRNAs are sequence-specific regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression in
many eukaryotes. They are believed to control the expression of thousands of target
mRNAs, with each mRNA believed to be targeted by multiple microRNAs. Recent studies
have uncovered various mechanisms by which microRNAs down-regulate their target
mRNAs and have linked a well-known subcellular structure, the cytoplasmic processing
bodies (PBs) to the microRNA pathway. The finding that microRNAs are misexpressed in …
MicroRNAs are sequence-specific regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression in many eukaryotes. They are believed to control the expression of thousands of target mRNAs, with each mRNA believed to be targeted by multiple microRNAs. Recent studies have uncovered various mechanisms by which microRNAs down-regulate their target mRNAs and have linked a well-known subcellular structure, the cytoplasmic processing bodies (PBs) to the microRNA pathway. The finding that microRNAs are misexpressed in cancers has reinforced the idea that their regulatory roles are very important.
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