| First Author | Sevignani C | Year | 2006 |
| Journal | Mamm Genome | Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 189-202 |
| PubMed ID | 16518686 | Mgi Jnum | J:106444 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3618564 | Doi | 10.1007/s00335-005-0066-3 |
| Citation | Sevignani C, et al. (2006) Mammalian microRNAs: a small world for fine-tuning gene expression. Mamm Genome 17(3):189-202 |
| abstractText | The basis of eukaryotic complexity is an intricate genetic architecture where parallel systems are involved in tuning gene expression, via RNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, RNA-protein, and DNA-protein interactions. In higher organisms, about 97% of the transcriptional output is represented by noncoding RNA (ncRNA) encompassing not only rRNA, tRNA, introns, 5' and 3' untranslated regions, transposable elements, and intergenic regions, but also a large, rapidly emerging family named microRNAs. MicroRNAs are short 20-22-nucleotide RNA molecules that have been shown to regulate the expression of other genes in a variety of eukaryotic systems. MicroRNAs are formed from larger transcripts that fold to produce hairpin structures and serve as substrates for the cytoplasmic Dicer, a member of the RNase III enzyme family. A recent analysis of the genomic location of human microRNA genes suggested that 50% of microRNA genes are located in cancer-associated genomic regions or in fragile sites. This review focuses on the possible implications of microRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation in mammalian diseases, with particular focus on cancer. We argue that developing mouse models for deleted and/or overexpressed microRNAs will be of invaluable interest to decipher the regulatory networks where microRNAs are involved. |
