How complementary targets expose the microRNA 3' End for Tailing and Trimming during Target-Directed microRNA Degradation

Paulina Pawlica, Jessica Sheu-Gruttadauria, Ian J. MacRae, Joan A. Steitz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial for posttranscriptional regulation of messenger RNAs. "Classical"miRNA targets predominantly interact with the miRNA seed sequence located near the miRNA 50 end. Interestingly, certain transcripts that exhibit extensive complementarity to the miRNAs 30 region, instead of being subjected to regulation, induce miRNA decay in a process termed target-directed miRNA degradation (TDMD). Here, we review recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of TDMD. Specifically, we discuss how extensive miRNA complementarity to TDMD-inducing targets results in displacement of the miRNA 30 end from its protective pocket in the Argonaute protein. Unprotected miRNA 30 ends are then available for enzymatic attack by still-unidentified cellular enzymes. Identification of these cellular enzymes and discovery of additional TDMD-inducing transcripts are subjects for future research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)179-183
Number of pages5
JournalCold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology
Volume84
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

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