Origins and Mechanisms of miRNAs and siRNAs

Richard W. Carthew*, Erik J. Sontheimer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4304 Scopus citations

Abstract

Over the last decade, ∼20-30 nucleotide RNA molecules have emerged as critical regulators in the expression and function of eukaryotic genomes. Two primary categories of these small RNAs-short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs)-act in both somatic and germline lineages in a broad range of eukaryotic species to regulate endogenous genes and to defend the genome from invasive nucleic acids. Recent advances have revealed unexpected diversity in their biogenesis pathways and the regulatory mechanisms that they access. Our understanding of siRNA- and miRNA-based regulation has direct implications for fundamental biology as well as disease etiology and treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)642-655
Number of pages14
JournalCell
Volume136
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 20 2009

Funding

We are grateful to members of our laboratories for stimulating discussions. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants GM077581 and GM068743 to R.W.C. and GM072830 to E.J.S.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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