An intronic microRNA silences genes that are functionally antagonistic to its host gene.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that down-regulate gene expression by silencing specific target mRNAs. While many miRNAs are transcribed from their own genes, nearly half map within introns of 'host' genes, the significance of which remains unclear. We report that transcriptional activation of apoptosis-associated tyrosine kinase (AATK), essential for neuronal differentiation, also generates miR-338 from an AATK gene intron that silences a family of mRNAs whose protein products are negative regulators of neuronal differentiation. We conclude that an intronic miRNA, transcribed together with the host gene mRNA, may serve the interest of its host gene by silencing a cohort of genes that are functionally antagonistic to the host gene itself.
Barik
Sailen
S
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, College of Medicine, 307 University Boulevard, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002, USA. sbarik@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C532050:MIRN338 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; C118137:AATK protein, human; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases