MicroRNAs can generate thresholds in target gene expression.
Nat Genet
; 43(9): 854-9, 2011 Aug 21.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21857679
ABSTRACT
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, highly conserved noncoding RNA molecules that repress gene expression in a sequence-dependent manner. We performed single-cell measurements using quantitative fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry to monitor a target gene's protein expression in the presence and absence of regulation by miRNA. We find that although the average level of repression is modest, in agreement with previous population-based measurements, the repression among individual cells varies dramatically. In particular, we show that regulation by miRNAs establishes a threshold level of target mRNA below which protein production is highly repressed. Near this threshold, protein expression responds sensitively to target mRNA input, consistent with a mathematical model of molecular titration. These results show that miRNAs can act both as a switch and as a fine-tuner of gene expression.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Regulação da Expressão Gênica
/
Marcação de Genes
/
MicroRNAs
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Genet
Assunto da revista:
GENETICA MEDICA
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos