Kiefer Julie C
Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA.
Dev Dyn. 2006 Mar;235(3):846-53. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.20675.
Once regarded as a biological anomaly, microRNAs (miRNAs) have since been recognized as a prevalent RNA species that regulates a wide array of biological processes, from fat storage and insulin secretion, to apoptosis and cell growth. Recent studies show that miRNAs are expressed at precise times and locations in embryonic development. Moreover, disruption of miRNA processing triggers widespread developmental defects. These findings bolster the idea that miRNAs also regulate multiple aspects of embryonic development. This primer focuses on the emerging roles of miRNAs in development. The basics of miRNA biogenesis and miRNA and mRNA target identification are covered, with an emphasis on miRNA function in development. The primer also features a dialog about current topics in the field.
微小RNA（miRNA）曾被视为一种生物学异常现象，如今已被公认为一种普遍存在的RNA种类，它能调节从脂肪储存、胰岛素分泌到细胞凋亡和细胞生长等一系列广泛的生物学过程。最近的研究表明，miRNA在胚胎发育的特定时间和位置表达。此外，miRNA加工过程的破坏会引发广泛的发育缺陷。这些发现支持了miRNA也调节胚胎发育多个方面的观点。本入门介绍聚焦于miRNA在发育过程中的新作用。涵盖了miRNA生物合成以及miRNA与mRNA靶标识别的基础知识，重点是miRNA在发育中的功能。本入门介绍还设有一个关于该领域当前话题的对话。
