MicroRNAs

Large families of RNA molecules of 21-22 nucleotides, called microRNAs, have been found in a number of species. In an Advanced Online Publication from Nature Genetics, Eric Lai from the University of California at Berkeley, describes a family of microRNAs in Drosophila (Nat Genet 2002, DOI:10.1038/ng865).He found that 11 Drosophila microRNAs are complementary to the K-box motif (cUGUGAUa), Brd box (AGCUUUA) and GY box (uGUCUUCC) motifs present in the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of several bas

Jonathan Weitzman(jonathanweitzman@hotmail.com)

Mar 27, 2002

Large families of RNA molecules of 21-22 nucleotides, called microRNAs, have been found in a number of species. In an Advanced Online Publication from Nature Genetics, Eric Lai from the University of California at Berkeley, describes a family of microRNAs in Drosophila (Nat Genet 2002, DOI:10.1038/ng865).

He found that 11 Drosophila microRNAs are complementary to the K-box motif (cUGUGAUa), Brd box (AGCUUUA) and GY box (uGUCUUCC) motifs present in the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of several basic helix-loop-helix genes (bHLH). The microRNA may bind these sequences and mediate negative post-transcriptional regulation.

The conservation of some microRNAs in man and worms will prompt work on defining a regulatory role for microRNA-3'UTR RNA duplexes.

Interested in reading more?

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!

Already a member?

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of