Review

Nature Reviews Genetics 9, 831-842 (November 2008) | doi:10.1038/nrg2455

Biological principles of microRNA-mediated regulation: shared themes amid diversity

Alex S. Flynt1 & Eric C. Lai1  About the authors

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Regulation of gene activity by microRNAs is critical to myriad aspects of eukaryotic development and physiology. Amidst an extensive regulatory web that is predicted to involve thousands of transcripts, emergent themes are now beginning to illustrate how microRNAs have been incorporated into diverse settings. These include potent inhibition of individual key targets, fine-tuning of target activity, the coordinated regulation of target batteries, and the reversibility of some aspects of microRNA-mediated repression. Such themes may reflect some of the inherent advantages of exploiting microRNA control in biological circuits, and provide insight into the consequences of microRNA dysfunction in disease.

Author affiliations

  1. Sloan–Kettering Institute, Department of Developmental Biology, 521 Rockefeller Research Labs, 1275 York Avenue, Box 252, New York, New York 10065, USA.

Correspondence to: Eric C. Lai1 Email: laie@mskcc.org

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