What is the role of miRNAs in gene control?

miRNAs (microRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. They generally bind to the 3′-UTR (untranslated region) of their target mRNAs and repress protein production by destabilizing the mRNA and translational silencing.

What is the difference between lncRNA and miRNA?

In contrast to miRNAs, some lncRNAs are remarkably similar to messenger RNAs (mRNAs). lncRNAs are transcribed by RNA polymerase II, capped, spliced and get polyadenylated like mRNAs, although they cannot act as templates for protein synthesis [25].

How do miRNAs regulate a specific mRNA?

How microRNA controls gene expression. microRNA controls gene expression mainly by binding with messenger RNA (mRNA) in the cell cytoplasm. Instead of being translated quickly into a protein, the marked mRNA will be either destroyed and its components recycled, or it will be preserved and translated later.

How does miRNA regulate transcription?

Among these, miRNAs appear as important cytoplasmic regulators of gene expression. miRNAs act as post-transcriptional regulators of their messenger RNA (mRNA) targets via mRNA degradation and/or translational repression. However, it is becoming evident that miRNAs also have specific nuclear functions.

Can miRNA target non-coding RNAs?

Long non-coding RNAs can act as miRNA decoys by sequestering miRNAs, thus acting as competing endogenous RNAs and leading to re-expression of miRNA target genes [13, 102, 103].

How are lncRNAs similar to miRNAs?

microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are two major families of the non-protein-coding transcripts. miRNAs and lncRNAs can regulate fundamental cellular processes via diverse mechanisms. The expression and function of miRNAs and lncRNAs are tightly regulated in development and physiological homeostasis.

How do miRNAs regulate a specific mRNA quizlet?

How do microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate genes? miRNAs bind to mRNA and prevent translation. What specific role does small interfering RNA (siRNA) have in the formation of heterochromatin? siRNA binds to enzyme complexes and guides them to targeted DNA.

How does MicroRNA inhibit translation?

Abstract. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) repress translation of target mRNAs by interaction with partially mismatched sequences in their 3′ UTR. The mechanism by which they act on translation has remained largely obscure.

How do you target a lncRNA?

To target lncRNAs function several technologies namely, small molecules, nanobodies, aptamers, and RNA decoys have been proposed to disrupt interactions between lncRNA/protein via competition or steric blockade [53].