The Progress of MicroRNA Processing in Animal Nucleus

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are one of the largest gene families in higher eukaryotes. With their mRNA targets， miRNAs seem to form complex regulatory networks. miRNAs have key roles in diverse regulatory pathways， including control of developmental timing， haematopoietic cell differentiation， apoptosis， cell proliferation and organ development. The most pressing questions regarding this unusual class of regulatory miRNA are how miRNAs are produced in cells and how the genes themselves are controlled by various regulatory networks. The study on miRNA biogenesis in animal nucleus has made great advances in recent years. The pathways in the nucleus include three steps: the transcription of miRNA gene directed by RNA polymerase II， the processing by Drosha and the export by exportin-5. These biogenesis factors coordinate and control the pathways of miRNA biogenesis.
    

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2006.02.0005