title: Atypical transcription of microRNA gene fragments.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short ( approximately 22 nt) RNAs that impact gene expression by sequence-specific interactions with messenger RNA or promoter sequences of genomic DNA. Ectopic expression of miRNAs can be accomplished by placing fragments of the corresponding miRNA precursor under the control of RNA polymerase II or III (RNAP II/III). Here, we report that, in the absence of exogenous promoters, DNA fragments incorporating miRNA precursors can be delivered directly into a variety of human cells and give rise to the corresponding mature miRNA. Notably, the transcription of these miRNA DNA fragments appears resistant to conventional inhibitors of RNAP I/II/III activity. Taken together, our findings suggest the existence of a previously unrecognized atypical transcription program for miRNA precursor sequences.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Retrovirology, Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island and Miriam Hospitals, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song Gao
authors.forename: Yingjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lynne D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Machan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quesenberry
authors.forename: Isidore
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rigoutsos
authors.forename: Bharat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramratnam
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: C542359:MIRN143 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012322:RNA Precursors; D004247:DNA; D012319:RNA Polymerase II