StRNA

StRNA or Small Temporal RNA is a type of non-coding RNA that is involved in the regulation of gene expression. StRNAs are typically 21-23 nucleotides in length and are found in a wide range of organisms, including animals, plants, and fungi. They are named for their role in controlling the timing of development in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, but have since been found to have a variety of functions in other organisms as well.

Function

StRNAs function by binding to a protein complex called the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). The StRNA guides the RISC to a specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which the RISC then cleaves, preventing it from being translated into protein. This allows StRNAs to regulate the expression of specific genes.

Biogenesis

StRNAs are transcribed from DNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase II. The resulting primary transcript, or pri-StRNA, is then processed by the enzyme Drosha to produce a precursor StRNA, or pre-StRNA. The pre-StRNA is exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it is further processed by the enzyme Dicer to produce the mature StRNA.

Role in Disease

Alterations in StRNA expression have been implicated in a number of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. For example, some cancers have been found to have abnormal levels of certain StRNAs, suggesting that these StRNAs may play a role in the development or progression of the disease.

See Also

• MicroRNA
• RNA interference
• Non-coding RNA
• Gene expression

StRNA Resources
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