Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
5 p.
Publication Date
7-2010
Publisher
Elsevier
Source Publication
Current Biology
Source ISSN
0960-9822
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate the translation and/or stability of their mRNA targets. Previous work showed that for most miRNA genes of C. elegans, single-gene knockouts did not result in detectable mutant phenotypes. This may be due, in part, to functional redundancy between miRNAs. However, in most cases, worms carrying deletions of all members of a miRNA family do not display strong mutant phenotypes. They may function together with unrelated miRNAs or with non-miRNA genes in regulatory networks, possibly to ensure the robustness of developmental mechanisms. To test this, we examined worms lacking individual miRNAs in genetically sensitized backgrounds. These include genetic backgrounds with reduced processing and activity of all miRNAs or with reduced activity of a wide array of regulatory pathways. With these two approaches, we identified mutant phenotypes for 25 out of 31 miRNAs included in this analysis. Our findings describe biological roles for individual miRNAs and suggest that the use of sensitized genetic backgrounds provides an efficient approach for miRNA functional analysis.
Recommended Citation
Brenner, John L.; Jasiewicz, Kristen L.; Fahley, Alisha F.; Kemp, Benedict J.; and Abbott, Allison L., "Loss of Individual MicroRNAs Causes Mutant Phenotypes in Sensitized Genetic Backgrounds in C. elegans" (2010). Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 113.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bio_fac/113
Comments
Accepted version. Current Biology, Vol. 20, No. 14 (July 2010): 1321-1325. DOI. © 2010 Elsevier. Used with permission.