title: MicroRNA-independent roles of the RNase III enzymes Drosha and Dicer.
abstract: The ribonuclease III enzymes Drosha and Dicer are renowned for their central roles in the biogenesis of microRNAs (miRNAs). For many years, this has overshadowed the true versatility and importance of these enzymes in the processing of other RNA substrates. For example, Drosha also recognizes and cleaves messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and potentially ribosomal RNA. The cleavage of mRNAs occurs via recognition of secondary stem-loop structures similar to miRNA precursors, and is an important mechanism of repressing gene expression, particularly in progenitor/stem cell populations. On the other hand, Dicer also has critical roles in genome regulation and surveillance. These include the production of endogenous small interfering RNAs from many sources, and the degradation of potentially harmful short interspersed element and viral RNAs. These findings have sparked a renewed interest in these enzymes, and their diverse functions in biology.
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Johanson
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lew
authors.forename: Mark M W
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chong
mesh_terms: D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016678:Genome / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012328:RNA Viruses / Q000378:metabolism; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000096:biosynthesis; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000096:biosynthesis; D043244:Ribonuclease III / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D043244:Ribonuclease III
keywords: Dicer; Drosha; RNA processing; RNase III enzymes; microRNA