Events

Seminar: A rising number of microRNAs in the human genome detected by computational and biogenesis studies

All » Previous Events

2013-04-03: by Marc Friedlander, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Spain. The seminar will take place at April 3rd, 11:15-12:00, at University of Copenhagen, SUND/LIFE, A1-01.13 / Building 1-01, Bülowsvej 17, 1. sal, 1870 Frederiksberg C.

Registration is not necessary, refreshments will be served.

Abstract:

microRNAs are small RNAs which regulate the expression of protein coding genes and have important functions in development, cell identity and disease. Although nearly two thousand human microRNA genes are known, novel ones are discovered at an increasing pace. Here we present a comprehensive meta-analysis of 94 human small RNA sequencing datasets, revealing more than 2500 novel microRNA candidates. Around 400 of these are robustly expressed in neuroblastoma cell cultures and show significant reduction in expression when the core biogenesis factors Dicer, Drosha, DGCR8 or Ago2 are silenced. Further hundreds of candidates interact physically with DGCR8 and Ago2 in transcript positions which are overall indicative of microRNA recognition. Altogether our results suggests that substantial numbers of human microRNA genes remain undiscovered.

Back to Overview