title: Micro RNAs in animal development.
abstract: Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 22 nucleotide single-stranded noncoding RNA molecules that bind to target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and silence their expression. This Essay explores the importance of miRNAs in animal development and their possible roles in disease and evolution.
authors.affiliation: Hubrecht Laboratory (KNAW), Utrecht University, 3584CT Utrecht, the Netherlands. plasterk@niob.knaw.nl
authors.forename: Ronald H A
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Plasterk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004194:Disease; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger