MicroRNA
MicroRNA (miRNA) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, functioning in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRNAs are approximately 22 nucleotides long and are involved in many biological processes, including development, differentiation, growth, and metabolism.
History[edit | edit source]
The first miRNA, lin-4, was discovered in 1993 in a study of developmental timing in Caenorhabditis elegans. The term "microRNA" was introduced in 2001.
Biogenesis[edit | edit source]
miRNA genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase II into primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) molecules, which are then processed by the Drosha enzyme to produce precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA). The pre-miRNA is exported from the nucleus and further processed by the Dicer enzyme to produce the mature miRNA.
Function[edit | edit source]
miRNAs function by base-pairing with complementary sequences within mRNA molecules, leading to gene silencing either through translational repression or target degradation.
Role in disease[edit | edit source]
Alterations in miRNA expression are implicated in numerous disease states, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disease.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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