Junk DNA: goodbye!: Micro RNA (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, December 09, 2014, 05:58 (3424 days ago) @ David Turell

More areas of DNA function:-
"Special Issue on microRNAs - the smallest RNA regulators of gene expression-
"It is now well recognised that the majority of non-protein-coding genomic DNA is not “junk” but specifies a range of regulatory RNA molecules which finely tune protein expression. This issue of CDD contains an editorial and 5 reviews on a particular class of these regulatory RNAs, the microRNAs (miRs) of around 22 nucleotides, and which exert their effects by binding to consensus sites in the 3?UTRs of mRNAs. The reviews cover the role of miRs from their early association with CLL to other forms of cancer, their importance in the development of the epidermis and their potential as disease biomarkers as secreted in exosomes. In addition, we publish a News and Commentary on CRISPR, a technology which is not only revolutionising genetic manipulation in the lab, but which has the potential to treat genetic disease in vivo."-http://www.nature.com/cdd/journal/v22/n1/pdf/cdd2014114a.pdf?WT.ec_id=CDD-201501-"Following their discovery in C. elegans in 19931 and
subsequent ‘rediscovery' in 2001, microRNAs (miRNAs) have
been intensively studied and currently more than 31 000
scientific papers have been published on the subject. So, a
massive amount of information has been gathered on the
expression and biological impact of miRNAs in normal
physiological processes and in pathologies and we understand
much more about the mechanisms underlying miRNAmediated
gene regulation. In addition, strategies for exploiting
miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets are beginning
to mature.
"This issue of Cell Death and Differentiation features a series
of interesting reviews on miRNAs focusing on the mode of
action, their involvement in stemness, and their usefulness as
markers and in novel therapies."