These small endogenous RNAs do not encode proteins. They each target and inactivate the mRNAs of families of genes. Changes in the levels of a particular mature micro RNA can lead to altered cell states and disease. We are collaborating with the group of Dr Eric Miska at the Gurdon Institute (Cambridge) to use biophysical and molecular methods to study the pathways and molecular players involved in the maturation of micro RNA.

References:

A LIN28-Dependent Structural Change in pre-let-7g Directly Inhibits Dicer Processing
H L Lightfoot, A Bugaut, J Armisen, N J Lehrbach, E A Miska and S Balasubramanian
Biochemistry, 50, 7514-7521 (2011)
DOI: 10.1021/bi200851d
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