Hexanucleotide Element Directs MicroRNA Nuclear Import

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate partially complementary target messenger RNAs. Target selection in animals is dictated primarily by sequences at the miRNA 5' end. We demonstrated that despite their small size, specific miRNAs contain additional sequence elements that control their posttr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2007-01, Vol.315 (5808), p.97-100
Main Authors: Hwang, Hun-Way, Wentzel, Erik A, Mendell, Joshua T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
3T3 cells
Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
Animals
Apoptosis
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
Cell cycle
Cell lines
Cell Nucleus - metabolism
Cell physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetics
HeLa Cells
Humans
Mammals
Membrane and intracellular transports
Mice
MicroRNA
MicroRNAs - chemistry
MicroRNAs - metabolism
Mitosis
Molecular and cellular biology
Molecular biology
Mutation
NIH 3T3 Cells
Nucleotides
Oligoribonucleotides - chemistry
Oligoribonucleotides - metabolism
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Ribonuclease III - metabolism
Ribonucleic acid
RNA
RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
RNA Stability
RNA, Small Interfering
Small interfering RNA
Transcription, Genetic
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Summary:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate partially complementary target messenger RNAs. Target selection in animals is dictated primarily by sequences at the miRNA 5' end. We demonstrated that despite their small size, specific miRNAs contain additional sequence elements that control their posttranscriptional behavior, including their subcellular localization. We showed that human miR-29b, in contrast to other studied animal miRNAs, is predominantly localized to the nucleus. The distinctive hexanucleotide terminal motif of miR-29b acts as a transferable nuclear localization element that directs nuclear enrichment of miRNAs or small interfering RNAs to which it is attached. Our results indicate that miRNAs sharing common 5' sequences, considered to be largely redundant, might have distinct functions because of the influence of cis-acting regulatory motifs.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1136235