Editor's Summary
14 July 2005
A microRNA with heart
MicroRNAs inhibit the translation of important developmental regulator molecules across a range of species. It is proving difficult to identify specific microRNA targets and to understand their role in regulating development. Now Zhao et al. have developed an algorithm to predict microRNA targets based on the characteristics of known microRNA/target pairings. First target to be identified in this way is Hand2, a transcription factor that promotes proliferation of ventricular heart cells. Hand2 is targeted by miR-1-1, a microRNA specifically expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle precursor cells. miR-1-1 may control the balance between differentiation and proliferation during cardiogenesis.
News and Views: Developmental biology: Tiny brakes for a growing heart
The discovery of microRNAs has revolutionized many areas of biology. The latest news is that these RNAs seem to regulate the crucial balance between growth and specialization of cardiac cells.
Benoit G. Bruneau
doi: 10.1038/436181a
Article: Serum response factor regulates a muscle-specific microRNA that targets Hand2 during cardiogenesis
Yong Zhao, Eva Samal and Deepak Srivastava
doi: 10.1038/nature03817
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (567K) | Supplementary information