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Alternative Processing of Primary microRNA Transcripts by Drosha Generates 5' End Variation of Mature microRNA.
- Source :
- PLoS ONE; 2009, Vol. 4 Issue 10, p1-12, 12p, 6 Diagrams, 2 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Background: It is generally believed that the miRNA processing machinery ensures the generation of a mature miRNA with a fixed sequence, particularly at its 5' end. However, we and others have recently noted that the ends of a given mature miRNA are not absolutely fixed, but subject to variation. Neither the significance nor the mechanism behind the generation of such miRNA polymorphism is understood. miR-142 is an abundantly expressed miRNA in hematopoietic cells and exhibits a high frequency of 5' end polymorphism. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we show that a shift in the Drosha processing of pri-miRNA generates multiple forms of miR-142s in vivo with differing 5' ends that might target different genes. Sequence analysis of several pre-miRNA ends cloned from T cells reveals that unlike many other pri-miRNAs that are processed into a single pre-miRNA, pri-miR-142 is processed into 3 distinct pre-miR-142s. Dicer processing studies suggest that each of the 3 pre-miR-142s is processed into a distinct double-stranded miRNA, giving rise to 4 mature miRNA variants that might regulate different target gene pools. Conclusions/Significance: Thus, alternative Drosha processing might be a novel mechanism for diversification of the miRNA target gene pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 4
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 58515468
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0007566