MicroRNAs in search of a target.
As the number of known microRNAs (miRNAs) increases, and their importance in physiology and disease becomes apparent, the identification of their regulatory targets is a requisite for a full characterization of their biological functions. Computational methods based on sequence homology and phylogenetic conservation have spearheaded this effort in the last 3 years, but they may not be sufficient. Experimental studies are now needed to extend and validate the computational predictions and further our understanding of target recognition by miRNAs.
Stefani
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Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
Slack
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D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D019295:Computational Biology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017238:Genes, Helminth; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C102669:LIN-14 protein, C elegans; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex; C474488:let-7 microRNA, C elegans