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. 2016 Oct 5;10:101–120. doi: 10.4137/JEN.S32843

Figure 1.

Figure 1

miRNA biogenesis.

Notes: The schematic figure shows miRNA biogenesis, processing, maturation, and regulation. The miRNAs are transcribed within the nucleus by RNA polymerase II from the noncoding region of the genome. The transcribed pri-miRNA is processed by Drosha/Pasha microprocessor complex into pre-miRNA. The pre-miRNA is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm through the nuclear membrane protein, XPO5. In the cytoplasm, the endonuclease dicer processes the pre-miRNA into miRNA duplex. The miRNA duplex is unwound by a helicase and forms the mature miRNA (~18–25 nucleotides). The mature miRNA is incorporated into the RISC with Argonaute protein as a catalytic component. The miRNA–RISC complex binds at the 3′UTR of the mature mRNA and regulates posttranslational gene expression by translation inhibition or mRNA degradation (transcriptional silencing).

Abbreviations: miRNA, microRNA; pre-miRNA, precursor miRNA; pri-miRNA, primary miRNA; RISC, RNA-induced silencing complex; 3′UTR, 3′ untranslated region; XPO5, Exportin 5.