Deciphering the role of microRNA – A step by step guide

Publication date: Available online 8 June 2017 Source:Gene Expression Patterns Author(s): Siddharth Manvati, Kailash Chandra Mangalhara, Juveria Khan, Geeta Lal Pathania, Srishti Kaul, Monika Kaushik, Ankita Arora, Pawan K. Dhar MicroRNAs (miRNAs), are small non-coding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides in length, playing an important role in regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. Understanding the effect of miRNA regulation in a pathway-specific manner unravels the approaches adopted to apprehend biological mechanisms, the information, which is scanty for researchers, not primed already for miR related research. Here, we describe a quick perspective in 5 steps with probable approaches and assays at every level to unravel the specific role of a microRNA, miR-145a-5p, as an example. This perspective as a guide would help in identifying novel targets for a microRNA, as shown for miR-145a-5p, which down-regulated the mRNA expression of ADD3 and BRCA2, using bioinformatic tools and experimental assays.

Source: Gene Expression Patterns - June 8, 2017 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research