Regulatory RNAs derived from transfer RNA?
Four recent studies suggest that cleavages of transfer RNAs generate products with microRNA-like features, with some evidence of function. If their regulatory functions were to be confirmed, these newly revealed RNAs would add to the expanding repertoire of small noncoding RNAs and would also provide new perspectives on the coevolution of transfer RNA and messenger RNA.
Pederson
Thoru
T
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA. thoru.pederson@umassmed.edu
D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D038621:Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics*
D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D038621:Regulatory Sequences, Ribonucleic Acid; D012343:RNA, Transfer