Key role Source Primary transcript Processing/biogenesis Function Active Form

miRNA
(micro)
Gene
regulation


* Regulation
can be
combinatori
al (more
than one
miRNA
binding to
3UTR for
added
regulation)
Processed
from dsRNA
using pol II
5 Gcap
polyA tail
forms hairpin structure with
(complementary sequences
within ssRNA structure
making partial duplex)
2nt 3 overhang

DROSHA (in nucleus)
cleaves RNA for form
22nt piece with 2nt 3
overhang
recognized by exportin
and moved to cytoplasm
binds to DICER, which
degrades one strand of
the partial duplex
(leaving ssRNA
complete miRNA )
miRNA transferred to
RISC (RNA-induced
silencing complex
regulates
chromatin
structure
RISC-bound
miRNA binds to
3UTR in mRNA,
targeting ~7nt
complementary
strands
High homology
destroys
mRNA
Poor homology
reduce
translation

ssRNA in complex
with RISC




siRNA
(small
interfering)
Cellular
defense
mechanism
Perfect RNA
duplexes may
arise from
viral RNA
genome as
intermediate
of replication
~23nt long
initial duplex form has 2nt 3
overhangs
Perfectly complementary
duplexes

DICER recognizes and
cleaves dsRNA in cytosol
to make shorter dsRNA
molecules
siRNA duplex binds to
RISC
strands are separated
with one ss piece bond to
RISC (other is degraded)
RISC-bound
siRNA binds to
viral molecules to
destroy them
Regulates
chromatin
structure of
genome

ssRNA in complex
with RISC












siRNA