MicroRNA and Gene Regulation

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to miRNA and its role in gene regulation and responses to stress.

MicroRNA (miRNA)

A class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation.

Central dogma

Describes the flow of genetic information within a biological system, stating that DNA makes RNA and RNA makes proteins.

Drosha

An endonuclease enzyme in the nucleus that cleaves pri-miRNA to generate pre-miRNA.

Dicer

An RNAse that processes pre-RNAs into double-stranded miRNA duplexes.

Argonaute (AGO)

A core protein of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) that interacts with miRNA and target mRNAs.

Seed sequence

The critical region in miRNA for target mRNA selection, typically consisting of 2-8 nucleotides.

Stress granules

Intracellular sites where mRNAs are stored and possibly repressed during stress.

P-bodies

Cytoplasmic granules containing mRNA degradation machinery and components related to the miRNA pathway.

miRBase

A searchable database of published miRNA sequences and annotations.

Target mimicry

A mechanism where mRNA mimics compete with actual mRNA targets for miRNA binding.

Post-transcriptional regulation

The control of gene expression at the RNA level, involving processes like miRNA binding to mRNAs.

Oxidative stress

A condition that can influence miRNA expression and is linked to various cellular responses.

mRNA degradation

A process where mRNA is broken down, often facilitated by miRNA interaction.

Transcriptional activation

The process of initiating transcription of a gene, which can be influenced by transcription factors and stress.

Half-life of miRNA

The duration a mature miRNA remains functional in vivo, typically around 12 days.

Gene expression timing patterns

The dynamics of how gene expression levels change over time in response to stress.