MicroRNA biogenesis: there's more than one way to skin a cat

作者：Faller Michael; Guo Feng^*

来源：Biochimica et Biophysica Acta-Gene Regulatory Mechanisms, 2008, 1779(11): 663-667.

DOI：10.1016/j.bbagrm.2008.08.005

• microRNA
• Ribonuclease
• RNA-binding protein
• RNA polymerase
• Spliceosome
• Adenosine deaminase for RNA

microRNAs (miRNAs) are extensively involved in developmental programming. Some miRNAs are highly conserved, while others are lineage specific. All miRNAs maturate through a series of processing steps. Here review recent progresses in the studies of early steps in miRNA biogenesis, focusing on animal systems. miRNA maturation pathways are surprisingly diverse, involving transcription by RNA polymerase II or III, cleavage by the Drosha nuclease or the spliceosome, and sometimes modifications by the adenosine deaminase ADAR. The relationship between the diversity in miRNA biogenesis and the apparently rapid evolution of miRNA genes and functions is discussed.

• 出版日期2008-11