Scientists discover how multiple RNA elements control microRNA biogenesis
In humans (as well as all other organisms) genes encode proteins, which in turn regulate all the different specific cellular functions of the body. The genetic information found in our DNA is first converted into messenger RNA (mRNA) by a process called transcription. The mRNA acts as a template as it is read by intracellular organelles called ribosomes, which then create (or translate) the appropriate protein from the correct amino acid components. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that do not make any protein. However, they do play crucial roles in regulating the stability of mRNAs and translation of mRNAs to proteins. In addition, the abnormal expression of miRNAs is associated with a number of human diseases such as various types of cancer due to the defects of miRNAs leading to increased levels of oncogenic mRNAs or decreased levels of tumor suppressor mRNAs. For this reason, having the ability...