Figure 2.

miRSNP can affect microRNA biogenesis and activity. SNPs may be present on the microRNA decreasing (A) or increasing (B) its binding affinity for the target mRNA. SNPs may be present in the binding site of a target mRNA decreasing (C) or increasing (D) binding affinity (or creating new binding sites). In this last scenario are represented also SNPs in genes of the microRNA biogenesis machinery. These SNPs usually affect the regulation of the genes increasing or decreasing binding affinity of post-transcriptional regulators like microRNAs. SNPs may also affect the secondary structure of premature forms of the microRNAs decreasing (E) or increasing (F) their maturation.