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Introduction to MicroRNAs in Biological Systems

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miRNomics: MicroRNA Biology and Computational Analysis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1107))

Abstract

MicroRNAs are 20–24-nucleotide-long noncoding RNAs that bind to the 3′ UTR (untranslated region) of target mRNAs. Since their discovery, microRNAs have been gaining attention for their ability to contribute to gene expression regulation under various physiological conditions. Consequently, deregulated expression of microRNAs has been linked to different disease states. Here, a brief overview of the canonical and alternative microRNA biogenesis pathways and microRNA functions in biological systems is given based on recent developments. In addition, newly emerging regulatory mechanisms, such as alternative polyadenylation, in connection with microRNA-dependent gene expression regulation are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayse Elif Erson-Bensan

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  1. Ayse Elif Erson-Bensan
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dabburiya Village, Israel

    Malik Yousef

  2. Izmir Institute of Technology, Izmir, Turkey

    Jens Allmer

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Erson-Bensan, A.E. (2014). Introduction to MicroRNAs in Biological Systems. In: Yousef, M., Allmer, J. (eds) miRNomics: MicroRNA Biology and Computational Analysis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1107. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-748-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-748-8_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-747-1

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