How is microRNA processed?

How is microRNA processed? In the metazoa (such as human), miRNAs are processed from the primary transcript using a two-step sequential mechanism involving two RNase III nucleases (Fig. 1). As indicated before, miRNAs are generated

How is microRNA processed?

In the metazoa (such as human), miRNAs are processed from the primary transcript using a two-step sequential mechanism involving two RNase III nucleases (Fig. 1). As indicated before, miRNAs are generated either from the processing of a host intron or by transcription from their own dedicated promoters.

Is miRNA processed by Drosha?

The RNase III Drosha is the core nuclease that executes the initiation step of microRNA (miRNA) processing in the nucleus.

What is the role of microRNA miRNA )?

The miRNA functions as a guide by base-pairing with target mRNA to negatively regulate its expression. The level of complementarity between the guide and mRNA target determines which silencing mechanism will be employed; cleavage of target messenger RNA (mRNA) with subsequent degradation or translation inhibition Fig.

Is Drosha an RNase?

Both Drosha and Dicer have two RNase III domains (RNase IIIa and RNase IIIb) followed by the C-terminal dsRBD (Figure 3). The two RNase III domains form an intramolecular heterodimer and make staggered cleavages in the two arms of a pri-miRNA or pre-miRNA (Zhang et al., 2004; Macrae et al., 2006).

Where are miRNAs processed?

In animal cells, pri-miRNAs are processed into pre-miRNAs by the Microprocessor complex in the nucleus, and are then transported into the cytoplasm to undergo further processing into mature miRNAs.

Does miRNA have poly A tail?

miRNA Biogenesis MicroRNAs are transcribed by RNA polymerase II as large RNA precursors called pri-miRNAs and comprise of a 5′ cap and poly-A tail3.

What is the function of drosha?

(A) DROSHA functions as the initiator of miRNA biogenesis by cleaving pri-miRNA hairpins in the nucleus. The resulting pre-miRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm and further processed by DICER to produce mature miRNAs.

What is the function of DICER?

Dicer plays a pivotal role in the initiation of RNA silencing by recognizing double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) and cleaving them into small RNAs using its RNase III-like double-stranded RNA-specific nuclease activities. Small RNAs are largely classified into two groups: small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs.

How many miRNAs do humans have?

There are now over 2000 miRNAs that have been discovered in humans and it is believed that they collectively regulate one third of the genes in the genome. miRNAs have been linked to many human diseases and are being pursued as clinical diagnostics and as therapeutic targets.

How are microRNAs processed in nuclear RNase III?

The nuclear RNase III Drosha initiates microRNA processing Hundreds of small RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides, collectively named microRNAs (miRNAs), have been discovered recently in animals and plants.

Where does the nuclear RNase III Drosha take place?

Yoontae Lee 1 , Chiyoung Ahn, Jinju Han, Hyounjeong Choi, Jaekwang Kim, Jeongbin Yim, Junho Lee, Patrick Provost, Olof Rådmark, Sunyoung Kim, V Narry Kim Affiliation 1Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics and School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Korea.

How are Dicer and Drosha involved in miRNA processing?

Thus, the two RNase III proteins, Drosha and Dicer, may collaborate in the stepwise processing of miRNAs, and have key roles in miRNA-mediated gene regulation in processes such as development and differentiation. We have previously shown that miRNA genes are expressed as primary transcripts (pri-miRNAs) that are longer than pre-miRNAs 14.

What are the roles of the RNase III proteins?

Thus, the two RNase III proteins, Drosha and Dicer, may collaborate in the stepwise processing of miRNAs, and have key roles in miRNA-mediated gene regulation in processes such as development and differentiation. Publication types Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t