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Understanding How miRNAs Post-Transcriptionally Regulate Gene Expression

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miRNA Regulation of the Translational Machinery

Part of the book series: Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology ((PMSB,volume 50))

Abstract

The discovery of microRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene silencing has added a new level of complexity to our understanding of post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Considering the ubiquity of miRNA-mediated repression throughout basic cellular processes, understanding its mechanism of action is paramount to obtain a clear picture of the regulation of gene expression in biological systems. Although many miRNAs and their targets have been identified, a detailed understanding of miRNA action remains elusive. miRNAs regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, through both translational inhibition and mRNA destabilization. Recent reports suggest that many miRNA effects are mediated through proteins of the GW182 family. This chapter focuses on the multiple and potentially overlapping mechanisms that miRNAs utilize to regulate gene expression in eukaryotes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1A1, Canada

    Marc R. Fabian, Thomas R. Sundermeier & Nahum Sonenberg

  2. Goodman Cancer Center, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3G 1A1, Canada

    Marc R. Fabian, Thomas R. Sundermeier & Nahum Sonenberg

Authors
  1. Marc R. Fabian
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  2. Thomas R. Sundermeier
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  3. Nahum Sonenberg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nahum Sonenberg .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Health Science Center, Dept. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University, Kings Highway 1501, Shreveport, 71130-3932, Louisiana, USA

    Robert E. Rhoads

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© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Fabian, M.R., Sundermeier, T.R., Sonenberg, N. (2010). Understanding How miRNAs Post-Transcriptionally Regulate Gene Expression. In: Rhoads, R. (eds) miRNA Regulation of the Translational Machinery. Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology(), vol 50. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03103-8_1

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