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Small but mighty: How ubiquitous microRNAs are reshaping life sciences

CHEN Xi, ZHANG Chen-Yu^*

College of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China

Abstract

The genetic information of organisms is transmitted from DNA to RNA through transcription, and then translated into proteins by RNA to perform various biological functions. This encoding translation system is the foundation of all life activities, driving various biological processes within cells. Despite the high similarity in genome sequences between humans and other animals, humans exhibit more complex phenotypic traits, which are mainly attributed to the highly refined and diverse gene expression regulation mechanisms. MiRNA is a type of small non coding RNA with a length of approximately 22 nucleotides. It does not directly participate in protein synthesis, but regulates gene expression at the post transcriptional level by complementary pairing with target mRNA. Research has shown that there are over 45000 miRNA targets in human genes, and over 60% of human protein coding genes can be regulated by miRNAs. Therefore, miRNA is considered the largest gene expression regulatory family. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNAs and their role in post transcriptional gene regulation. The Nobel Prize for the discovery of miRNA is not only a recognition of scientific breakthroughs in this field, but also a tribute to the intricate regulatory mechanisms hidden deep in nature. MiRNA, as a highly conserved regulatory molecule in evolution, has transformed gene expression from a single logic into a complex symphony, providing a new perspective for understanding the complexity of life and the occurrence of diseases. This discovery opens up more unsolved chapters behind the evolution of life and promotes a new understanding of the complexity of life. The genetic information of organisms is transmitted from DNA to RNA through transcription, and then translated into proteins by RNA to perform various biological functions. This encoding translation system is the foundation of all life activities, driving various biological processes within cells. Despite the high similarity in genome sequences between humans and other animals, humans exhibit more complex phenotypic traits, which are mainly attributed to the highly refined and diverse gene expression regulation mechanisms. MiRNA is a type of small non coding RNA with a length of approximately 22 nucleotides. It does not directly participate in protein synthesis, but regulates gene expression at the post transcriptional level by complementary pairing with target mRNA. Research has shown that there are over 45000 miRNA targets in human genes, and over 60% of human protein coding genes can be regulated by miRNAs. Therefore, miRNA is considered the largest gene expression regulatory family. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNAs and their role in post transcriptional gene regulation. The Nobel Prize for the discovery of miRNA is not only a recognition of scientific breakthroughs in this field, but also a tribute to the intricate regulatory mechanisms hidden deep in nature. MiRNA, as a highly conserved regulatory molecule in evolution, has transformed gene expression from a single logic into a complex symphony, providing a new perspective for understanding the complexity of life and the occurrence of diseases. This discovery opens up more unsolved chapters behind the evolution of life and promotes a new understanding of the complexity of life.

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 张辰宇　　E-mail:

Citing This Article：

CHEN Xi, ZHANG Chen-Yu. Small but mighty: How ubiquitous microRNAs are reshaping life sciences. Acta Physiol Sin 2024; 76 (5): 673-676 (in Chinese with English abstract).