An intronic microRNA silences genes that are functionally antagonistic to its host gene.

Nucleic Acids Res

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, College of Medicine, 307 University Boulevard, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002, USA.

Published: September 2008

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that down-regulate gene expression by silencing specific target mRNAs. While many miRNAs are transcribed from their own genes, nearly half map within introns of 'host' genes, the significance of which remains unclear. We report that transcriptional activation of apoptosis-associated tyrosine kinase (AATK), essential for neuronal differentiation, also generates miR-338 from an AATK gene intron that silences a family of mRNAs whose protein products are negative regulators of neuronal differentiation. We conclude that an intronic miRNA, transcribed together with the host gene mRNA, may serve the interest of its host gene by silencing a cohort of genes that are functionally antagonistic to the host gene itself.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2532712PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkn513DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

host gene
16
genes functionally
8
functionally antagonistic
8
antagonistic host
8
neuronal differentiation
8
gene
6
intronic microrna
4
microrna silences
4
genes
4
silences genes
4

Similar Publications

Plant pathogens pose significant threats to global cereal crop production, particularly for essential crops like rice and wheat, which are fundamental to global food security and provide nearly 40% of the global caloric intake. As the global population continues to rise, increasing agricultural production to meet food demands becomes even more critical. However, the production of these vital crops is constantly threatened by phytopathological diseases, especially those caused by fungal pathogens such as , the causative agent of rice blast disease, , responsible for head blight (FHB) in wheat, and , the source of Septoria tritici blotch (STB).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The marine ecosystem is characterized by a rich diversity of bacterial hosts and their phages. The propagation of phages is primarily limited by their ability to adsorb to host cells and is further challenged by various bacterial defense mechanisms. To fully realize the potential of phage therapy in aquaculture, a comprehensive understanding of phage-host interactions and their regulation is essential.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The continuous interaction between phages and their respective hosts has resulted in the evolution of multiple bacterial immune mechanisms. However, the diversity and prevalence of antiviral defense systems in complex communities are still unknown. We therefore investigated the diversity and abundance of viral defense systems in 3,038 high-quality bacterial and archaeal genomes from the rumen.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unlabelled: Although fish possess an effective interferon (IFN) system to defend against viral infection, grass carp reovirus (GCRV) still causes epidemic hemorrhagic disease and tremendous economic loss in grass carp. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the immune escape strategies employed by GCRV. In this study, we show that the structural protein VP4 of GCRV (encoded by the S6 segment) significantly restricts IFN expression by degrading stimulator of IFN genes (STING) through the autophagy-lysosome-dependent pathway.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Abiotic stressors, such as salt stress, can reduce crop productivity, and when combined with biotic pressures, such as insect herbivory, can exacerbate yield losses. However, salinity-induced changes to plant quality and defenses can in turn affect insect herbivores feeding on plants. This study investigates how salinity stress in tomato plants (Solanum Lycopersicum cv.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!