Nuclear Export of MicroRNA Precursors

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which function as regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes, are processed from larger transcripts by sequential action of nuclear and cytoplasmic ribonuclease III–like endonucleases. We show that Exportin-5 (Exp5) mediates efficient nuclear export of short miRNA precursors (pre-miRNAs) and that its depletion by RNA interference results in reduced miRNA levels. Exp5 binds correctly processed pre-miRNAs directly and specifically, in a Ran guanosine triphosphate–dependent manner, but interacts only weakly with extended pre-miRNAs that yield incorrect miRNAs when processed by Dicer in vitro. Thus, Exp5 is key to miRNA biogenesis and may help coordinate nuclear and cytoplasmic processing steps.

Keywords

DicerDroshamicroRNANuclear export signalRibonuclease IIICell biologyRNA interferenceBiologyArgonauteGuanosineBiogenesisRNACell nucleusCytoplasmGeneGenetics

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Publication Info

Year: 2003
Type: article
Volume: 303
Issue: 5654
Pages: 95-98
Citations: 2661
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Elsebet Lund, 
                                
                                    Stephan Güttinger, 
                                
                                    Ângelo Calado
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (2003). 
                            Nuclear Export of MicroRNA Precursors. 
                            Science
                            , 303
                            (5654)
                            , 95-98.
                            https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1090599
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1126/science.1090599