QRT-PCR-APPLICATIONS.COM

In genetics, a miRNA (micro-RNA) is a form of single-stranded RNA which is typically 20-25 nucleotides long, and is thought to regulate the expression of other genes. miRNAs are RNA genes which are transcribed from DNA, but are not translated into protein. The DNA sequence that codes for an miRNA gene is longer than the miRNA. This DNA sequence includes the miRNA sequence and an approximate reverse complement. When this DNA sequence is transcribed into a single-stranded RNA molecule, the miRNA sequence and its reverse- complement base pair to form a double stranded RNA hairpin loop; this forms a primary miRNA structure (pri-miRNA). Most microRNAs in animals are thought to function through the inhibition of effective mRNA translation of target genes through imperfect base-pairing with the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of target mRNAs. However, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. MicroRNA targets are largely unknown, but estimates range from one to hundreds of target genes..