The little RNAs that could. Midget RNA molecules trigger neuron maturation through unexpected mechanism.
Like many teenagers, stem cells won't grow up without a push. New research reveals that RNA snippets provide a shove, inciting brain stem cells to mature. The work suggests that RNAs instigate the process by changing a gene-blocking protein into a gene activator. The study is the first to show that the miniature molecules can turn genes on as well as off.
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D000328:Adult; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000502:physiology; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / Q000502:physiology*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor