title: microRNA functions.
abstract: microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play important roles in posttranscriptional gene regulation. In animal cells, miRNAs regulate their targets by translational inhibition and mRNA destabilization. Here, we review recent work in animal models that provide insight into the diverse roles of miRNAs in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany 69117.
authors.forename: Natascha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bushati
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs