title: Regulation of pre-miRNA Processing.
abstract: microRNAs are endogenously expressed ∼21 nucleotide noncoding RNAs. microRNA-mediated regulation of the translation of specific mRNA is implicated in a range of developmental processes and pathologies. As such, miRNA expression is tightly controlled in normal development by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. This chapter is concerned with the control of pre-miRNA processing of individual miRNAs by specific factors. It is focussed on the regulation of a subset of miRNAs by the RNA-binding protein Lin28/LIN-28. We discuss how Lin28/LIN-28 can sequester pre-let-7 miRNA precursor to prevent Dicer-mediated processing. We describe how interaction of pre-let-7 with Lin28/ LIN-28 leads to pre-let-7 uridylation and subsequent degradation. Finally, we analyze how let-7 and Lin28/LIN-28 together act as a highly conserved developmental switch that controls stem cell differentiation in C. elegans and mammals.
authors.affiliation: , .
authors.forename: Nicolas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lehrbach
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Miska
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins