title: Smad-mediated miRNA processing: a critical role for a conserved RNA sequence.
abstract: microRNAs (miRNAs) are short, 21-24 nucleotide (nt), non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Through the regulation of their cognate mRNAs, miRNAs control diverse aspects of biology, including development, cellular differentiation, proliferation, metabolism, and death. Thus, miRNAs play a critical role in the determination of normal cellular physiology and misexpression of miRNAs leads to pathological responses. Understanding the mechanisms that control miRNA expression is an important step forward as novel functions of miRNAs continue to be uncovered. In addition to transcriptional regulation, multiple pathways of post-transcriptional modulation of miRNA expression have been uncovered. In this review we discuss the role of the Smads in the regulation of miRNA processing in response to Transforming Growth Factor-β stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Brandi N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Davis-Dusenbery
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hata
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002384:Catalysis; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D017354:Point Mutation; D020365:RNA Helicases / Q000378:metabolism; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000378:metabolism; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D034743:RNA-Induced Silencing Complex; D051785:Smad Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D043244:Ribonuclease III; D020365:RNA Helicases