MicroRNA access to the target helicases from rice

Abstract

Major classes of small RNA s include microRNA s (miRNA s) and small interfering RNA s (siRNA s). miRNA s are singlestranded RNA molecules of around 22 nucleotides in length. Most miRNA s show imperfect homology with their targets. The biogenesis mechanisms of miRNA s are different for plant and animals. Silencing of genes by miRNA s may serve as an appropriate tool to speed-up analyses of gene functions in a post-genomic era. We have identified in silico a set of miRNA s that control helicase gene expression by regulating its mRNA stability and translation in rice. Our analyses revealed that several rice helicases have distinct miRNA specificities. Such analyses will be a prerequisite to refining our understanding of target selection and regulation of helicase gene expression by miRNA s in rice. Further, we discuss recent findings on miRNA gene family and its gene structure, criteria for miRNA annotation, and on miRNA biogenesis that involve transcription, processing, and maturation of miRNAs. © 2010 Landes Bioscience.