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Smad‐mediated regulation of microRNA biosynthesis
Author(s) -
Blahna Matthew T.,
Hata Akiko
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.01.041
Subject(s) - smad , microrna , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , regulation of gene expression , biogenesis , transforming growth factor , gene expression , transcription factor , gene , genetics
microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs conserved in metazoans. Depletion of miRNAs results in embryonic lethality, suggesting they are essential for embryogenesis. Similarly, pathways induced by growth factors of the transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) superfamily control cell growth, differentiation, and development. Recently Smad proteins, the signal transducers of the TGF‐β pathway, were found to regulate miRNA expression, which, in turn, affects expression of numerous proteins. Smads modulate miRNA expression through both transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mechanisms illustrating the complexity of gene regulation by TGF‐β. In this chapter we summarize the current knowledge of mechanisms underlying Smad‐mediated regulation of miRNA biogenesis.