MicroRNA-Mediated Gene Silencing

MicroRNAs are 20-21 nucleotides-long noncoding RNAs that function as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression in a variety of organisms ranging from plants to mammalian cells. These regulators are encoded by approximately 800 genes in the mammalian genome and target half of the mRNAs in mam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inProgress in molecular biology and translational science Vol. 90; pp. 187 - 210
Main Authors Pager, Cara T, Wehner, Karen A, Fuchs, Gabriele, Sarnow, Peter
Format Book Chapter Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Science & Technology 2009
Subjects
Animals
Epidemiology & medical statistics
Gene Expression Regulation
Gene Silencing
Hepacivirus - metabolism
Humans
Liver - metabolism
Liver - virology
MicroRNAs - genetics
MicroRNAs - metabolism
Organ Specificity - genetics
Physiology
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Summary:MicroRNAs are 20-21 nucleotides-long noncoding RNAs that function as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression in a variety of organisms ranging from plants to mammalian cells. These regulators are encoded by approximately 800 genes in the mammalian genome and target half of the mRNAs in mammalian cells. While the biogenesis of microRNAs is fairly well understood, the mechanism by which target genes are regulated remains controversial. The recent discoveries that viruses encode microRNAs or subvert host cell microRNAs has enhanced our knowledge about biological functions of microRNAs during disease and has suggested that microRNAs could be used as targets in antiviral gene therapy. This review will provide a brief history of microRNA research, discuss the biogenesis and mechanisms of microRNAs, and summarize findings that have employed inhibitors of microRNA miR-122 to treat hepatitis C virus-induced liver disease.
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ISBN:9780123747587
0123747589
ISSN:1878-0814
DOI:10.1016/S1877-1173(09)90005-9