title: MicroRNA function in animal development.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by base-pairing to mRNAs. Hundreds of miRNAs have been identified in various multicellular organisms and many miRNAs are evolutionarily conserved. Although the biological functions of most miRNAs are unknown, miRNAs are predicted to regulate up to 30% of the genes within the human genome. Gradually, we are beginning to understand the functions of individual miRNAs and the general function of miRNA action. Here, we review the recent advances in miRNA biology in animals. Particularly, we focus on the roles of miRNAs in vertebrate development and disease.
authors.affiliation: Hubrecht Laboratory, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands. weinholds@niob.knaw.nl
authors.forename: Erno
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wienholds
authors.forename: Ronald H A
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Plasterk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C119588:LIN-7 protein, mammalian; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D035683:MicroRNAs; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C474488:let-7 microRNA, C elegans; C452194:lin-4 microRNA, C elegans; D012313:RNA