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2 - Non-coding RNAs – development of man-made vector-based intronic microRNAs (miRNAs)

from I - Discovery of microRNAs in various organisms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2009

By
Shao-Yao Ying ,
Joseph D. Miller  and
Shi-Lung Lin
Edited by
Krishnarao Appasani
Foreword by
Sidney Altman  and
Victor R. Ambros
Shao-Yao Ying
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Neurobiology Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California 1333 San Pablo Street, BMT-403 Los Angeles, CA 90033-9112 USA
Joseph D. Miller
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Neurobiology Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California 1333 San Pablo Street, BMT-403 Los Angeles, CA 90033-9112 USA
Shi-Lung Lin
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Neurobiology Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California 1333 San Pablo Street, BMT-403 Los Angeles, CA 90033-9112 USA
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Summary

Introduction

The central dogma of molecular biology is that genomic DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) which is translated into proteins. This dogma has recently been challenged because some segments of the DNA transcribed into the mRNA precursor (pre-mRNA) are not necessarily translated into proteins. Instead, these RNAs regulate the expression of other genes. The segments of the DNA which function directly as regulatory RNAs rather than coding for protein products are called non-coding RNAs. In the human genome, the vast majority (nearly 95%) of DNA is of the non-coding variety. Frequently diseases are associated with malfunction of the non-coding RNA. We present here the historical background and significance of non-coding RNA research, with a particular eye to the current status of work on the microRNAs and future prospects for development of artificial intronic microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs can play critical roles in development, protein secretion, and gene regulation. Some of them are naturally occurring antisense and hairpin RNAs whereas others have more complex structures. To understand the diseases caused by dysregulation of these miRNAs, a tissue-specific expression system is needed to recreate the function and mechanism of individual miRNA in vitro and in vivo.

Non-coding RNAs

The non-coding RNA (ncRNA) can be defined as segments of a RNA molecule that are not translated into a protein, but function in modulating the synthesis of proteins.

Type
Chapter
Information
MicroRNAs
From Basic Science to Disease Biology
 , pp. 22 - 41
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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