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Strategies to determine the biological function of microRNAs

Nature Genetics volume 38, pages S14–S19 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression that control many biological processes in development, differentiation, growth and metabolism. Their expression levels, small size, abundance of repetitive copies in the genome and mode of action pose unique challenges in studies elucidating the function of miRNAs. New technologies for identification, expression profiling and target gene validation, as well as manipulation of miRNA expression in vivo, will facilitate the study of their contribution to biological processes and disease. Such information will be crucial to exploit the emerging knowledge of miRNAs for the development of new human therapeutic applications.

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Figure 1: Hypothetical model for the regulation of miRNA expression and function.

Katie Ris

Figure 2: Schematic representation of chemically modified single-stranded RNAs that have been shown to silence miRNAs in vivo.
Figure 3: Experimental strategies to study miRNA function using molecular, genetic and bioinformatic techniques.

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  1. Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, 10021, New York, USA

    Jan Krützfeldt, Matthew N Poy & Markus Stoffel

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M.S. is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Aluylam Pharmaceuticals.

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Krützfeldt, J., Poy, M. & Stoffel, M. Strategies to determine the biological function of microRNAs. Nat Genet 38 (Suppl 6), S14–S19 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1799

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