Transcriptional regulation of mammalian miRNA genes

    Authors

    B. C. Schanen;X. M. Li

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Genomics

    Keywords

    Gene regulation; miRNA; Transcription; Mammalian; Promoter; EMBRYONIC STEM-CELLS; HUMAN BREAST-CANCER; CHROMATIN-STRUCTURE; HUMAN; MICRORNAS; MESSENGER-RNA; HUMAN GENOME; PROMOTERS; INITIATION; RECEPTOR; PLURIPOTENT; Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Genetics & Heredity

    Abstract

    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of a growing family of non-coding transcripts, 21-23 nucleotides long, which regulate a diverse collection of biological processes and various diseases by RNA-mediated gene-silencing mechanisms. While currently many studies focus on defining the regulatory functions of miRNAs, few are directed towards how miRNA genes are themselves transcriptionally regulated. Recent studies of miRNA transcription have elucidated RNA polymerase II as the major polymerase of miRNAs, however, little is known of the structural features of miRNA promoters, especially those of mammalian miRNAs. Here, we review the current literature regarding features conserved among miRNA promoters useful for their detection and the current novel methodologies available to enable researchers to advance our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of miRNA genes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Genomics

    Volume

    97

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Review

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1

    Last Page

    6

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000286367200001

    ISSN

    0888-7543

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