Micro-RNAs: small is plentiful.
Two small temporally regulated RNAs (stRNAs)* of approximately 22 nucleotides regulate timing of gene expression during development of the nematode C. elegans. This regulation occurs at a posttranscriptional, presumably translational, level and is distinct from RNA interference (RNAi). One of the two stRNAs, let-7, as well as its target gene, lin-41, are highly conserved even in humans, suggesting a wide employment of stRNA-mediated gene regulation. Recent reports indicate that these two stRNAs are indeed likely to represent only the tip of an iceberg with hundreds or more of additional micro-RNAs (miRNAs) existing in metazoans. miRNAs might thus be previously underestimated key participants in the field of gene regulation.
Grosshans
Helge
H
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Slack
Frank J
FJ
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D017238:Genes, Helminth / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D012322:RNA Precursors; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic