Architecture of a validated microRNA::target interaction.
MicroRNAs are small approximately 22 nucleotide regulators of numerous biological processes and bind target gene messenger RNAs to control gene expression. The C. elegans microRNA let-7 and its target lin-41 were the first microRNA::target interaction to be validated in vivo. let-7 molecules form imperfect duplexes with two required let-7 complementary sites in the lin-41 3' UTR. Here, we show that base pairing at both the 5' and 3' ends of the let-7 binding site, as well as the presence of unpaired RNA residues in the predicted duplexes, are required for lin-41 downregulation. In this study, our model for microRNA::target interactions also demonstrates that the context of a microRNA binding can be critical for function, revealing an unforeseen complexity in microRNA::target interactions.
Vella
Monica C
MC
Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Reinert
Kristy
K
Slack
Frank J
FJ
D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C410586:LIN-41 protein, C elegans; D035683:MicroRNAs; D014157:Transcription Factors; C474488:let-7 microRNA, C elegans