A study of miRNAs targets prediction and experimental validation

Yong Huang1,3, Quan Zou2, Haitai Song1,3, Fei Song1,3, Ligang Wang1,3, Guozheng Zhang1,3, Xingjia Shen1,3()

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Protein Cell ›› 2010, Vol. 1 ›› Issue (11) : 979-986. DOI: 10.1007/s13238-010-0129-4
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A study of miRNAs targets prediction and experimental validation

  • Yong Huang1,3, Quan Zou2, Haitai Song1,3, Fei Song1,3, Ligang Wang1,3, Guozheng Zhang1,3, Xingjia Shen1,3()
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Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are 20–24 nucleotide (nt) RNAs that regulate eukaryotic gene expression post-transcriptionally by the degradation or translational inhibition of their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). To identify miRNA target genes will help a lot by understanding their biological functions. Sophisticated computational approaches for miRNA target prediction, and effective biological techniques for validating these targets now play a central role in elucidating their functions. Owing to the imperfect complementarity of animal miRNAs with their targets, it is difficult to judge the accuracy of the prediction. Complexity of regulation by miRNA-mediated targets at protein and mRNAs levels has made it more challenging to identify the targets. To date, only a few miRNAs targets are confirmed. In this article, we review the methods of miRNA target prediction and the experimental validation for their corresponding mRNA targets in animals.

Keywords

microRNA / computational prediction / target / experimental validation

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Yong Huang, Quan Zou, Haitai Song, Fei Song, Ligang Wang, Guozheng Zhang, Xingjia Shen. A study of miRNAs targets prediction and experimental validation. Prot Cell, 2010, 1(11): 979‒986 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13238-010-0129-4

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