title: A developmental view of microRNA function.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are genomically encoded small non-coding RNAs that regulate flow of genetic information by controlling translation or stability of mRNAs. Recent recognition that many miRNAs are expressed in a tissue-specific manner during development of organisms, from worms to humans, has revealed a novel mechanism by which the proteome is regulated during the dynamic events of cell-lineage decisions and morphogenesis. Advances in the understanding of miRNA biogenesis, target recognition and participation in regulatory networks demonstrate a role for miRNAs in lineage decisions of progenitor cells and organogenesis. Future discoveries in this area are likely to reveal developmental-regulation and disease mechanisms related to miRNAs.
authors.affiliation: Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of California, San Francisco, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Srivastava
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008957:Models, Genetic; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs