Fig. 3.
MicroRNA (miRNA) functions. (A) Structure of mRNAs, transcribed from DNA. mRNAs are composed of three main regions: the 5 prime and 3 prime untranslated regions (5′UTR and 3′UTR) representing regions that are not translated into proteins. The untranslated regions flank the coding region or open reading frame (ORF). The ORF is composed of exons and introns, with only the exons being eventually translated into proteins. (B) Mature miRNAs are loaded into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and guide the RISC to the target mRNA. miRNA binding to its mRNA target sequence typically occurs within the 3′UTR of the mRNA. This process results in gene regulation, either by translational repression or mRNA degradation. (C) One single miRNA can bind to many different mRNA targets and therefore it regulatory can have a wide scope. However, one target mRNA can be repressed by different miRNAs, ensuring a profound miRNA-mediated regulatory effect.

MicroRNA (miRNA) functions. (A) Structure of mRNAs, transcribed from DNA. mRNAs are composed of three main regions: the 5 prime and 3 prime untranslated regions (5′UTR and 3′UTR) representing regions that are not translated into proteins. The untranslated regions flank the coding region or open reading frame (ORF). The ORF is composed of exons and introns, with only the exons being eventually translated into proteins. (B) Mature miRNAs are loaded into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and guide the RISC to the target mRNA. miRNA binding to its mRNA target sequence typically occurs within the 3′UTR of the mRNA. This process results in gene regulation, either by translational repression or mRNA degradation. (C) One single miRNA can bind to many different mRNA targets and therefore it regulatory can have a wide scope. However, one target mRNA can be repressed by different miRNAs, ensuring a profound miRNA-mediated regulatory effect.

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