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MicroRNA degradation and turnover: regulating the regulators

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Zhuo Zhang, Yong‐Wen Qin, Gary Brewer, Qing Jing

Published Online: Mar 28 2012

DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1114

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MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small noncoding RNAs that play important regulatory roles in gene expression. The control of miRNA biogenesis has been well characterized, but their degradation is not fully understood. Recent discoveries indicate that miRNAs have a long life span in general. However, rapid turnover dynamics of miRNAs in a variety of specific cellular contexts has been documented, as well as the requirement of sequence elements for miRNA decay. Furthermore, several ribonucleases that degrade miRNAs have been identified. Here, we discuss the cellular contexts and biochemical mechanisms of miRNA decay, together with several prominent questions in this field. WIREs RNA 2012, 3:593–600. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1114

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Figure 1.

A cartoon depicting biochemical pathways for miRNA decay. The miRNAs can be degraded from either 5′ end (left branch) or 3′ end (right branch). Exoribonuclease XRN1 and XRN2 facilitate the dissociation of miRNAs from miRISC and cut miRNAs in the 5′ → 3′ direction. PNPT1 can degrade specific miRNAs in the 3′ → 5′ direction. A potential factor (denoted as ‘?’) may cooperate with PNPT1 to achieve specificity.

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Yingqun Huang

and her research team focus on the dissection of the molecular mechanisms and pathways involved in Lin28-mediated regulation. First, they will analyze Lin28 expression in mouse and human ES cells to determine whether its expression is regulated during the cell cy-cle. Then, they will characterize the interactions between Lin28 and its associated mRNAs to gain molecular insights into their assembly, function and regulation in the cellular milieu. Finally, they will strive to identify Lin28-interacting protein partners and new target mRNAs to establish a comprehensive and global understanding of Lin28 function.

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