%0 Journal Article
%T MicroRNAs and ovarian function
%A Jason Baley
%A Julang Li
%J Journal of Ovarian Research
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1757-2215-5-8
%X MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (19-25 bp) RNAs that diversely regulate gene expression through their decrease of messenger RNA (mRNA) stability or translation [1-3]. The functions of these non-coding RNAs, until recently, have been relatively unknown, and are emerging as important regulators controlling diverse physiological and pathological processes including cell division, differentiation, migration and apoptosis [2,3]. Ovarian development involves proliferation and differentiation of germ cells and somatic cells. The correct completion of these processes is dependent on the coordinated expression of genes in a spatially and temporally specific manner. Consequently, gene expression is highly regulated and controlled at both the transcriptional and translational level. It is thus conceivable that miRNAs also play an important role in ovarian development. Here we review some of the recent findings on the potential roles of miRNA in ovarian functions.The genes that encode miRNAs, which comprise a class of naturally occurring, small non-coding RNAs, are generally transcribed by RNA polymerase II, processed into short hairpin RNAs by the enzyme Drosha and its RNA-binding cofactor DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (DGCR8), as shown in Figure 1[4-7]. Within the nucleus, these two proteins convert primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) to ~70-100 base precursor-miRNA (pre-miRNA) that contain a characteristic hairpin loop. The pre-miRNAs are exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and further processed by another enzyme, Dicer (encoded by Dicer1), giving rise to mature miRNAs. These are then transferred to Argonaute proteins, members of the argonaute (Ago) protein family, in an Argonaute-containing RNA Induced Silencing Complex (RISC) and elicit their effects by binding within the 3'-untranslated region (3' UTR) of target mRNAs [8]. There are some special cases in which the miRNA do not undergo the regular processing steps during biosynthesis. Mirtrons are a subset of miRNAs
%K microRNA
%K gene regulation
%K ovaries
%K small RNA
%U http://www.ovarianresearch.com/content/5/1/8