Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
MicroRNA (miRNA) are diverse in sequence and have a single known sequence bias: they tend to start with uridine (U).Results
Our analyses of fly, worm and mouse miRNA sequence data reveal that the 5'-U is recognized after miRNA production. Only one of the two strands can be assembled into Argonaute protein from a single miRNA/miRNA* molecule: in fly embryo lysate, a 5'-U promotes miRNA loading while decreasing the loading of the miRNA*.Conclusion
We suggest that recognition of the 5'-U enhances Argonaute loading by a mechanism distinct from its contribution to weakening base pairing at the 5'-end of the prospective miRNA and, as recently proposed in Arabidopsis and in humans, that it improves miRNA precision by excluding incorrectly processed molecules bearing other 5'-nt.
SUBMITTER: Seitz H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3127740 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Seitz Hervé H Tushir Jogender S JS Zamore Phillip D PD
Silence 20110607
<h4>Background</h4>MicroRNA (miRNA) are diverse in sequence and have a single known sequence bias: they tend to start with uridine (U).<h4>Results</h4>Our analyses of fly, worm and mouse miRNA sequence data reveal that the 5'-U is recognized after miRNA production. Only one of the two strands can be assembled into Argonaute protein from a single miRNA/miRNA* molecule: in fly embryo lysate, a 5'-U promotes miRNA loading while decreasing the loading of the miRNA*.<h4>Conclusion</h4>We suggest that ...[more]