A cellular function for the RNA-interference enzyme Dicer in the maturation of the let-7 small temporal RNA

Science. 2001 Aug 3;293(5531):834-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1062961. Epub 2001 Jul 12.

Abstract

The 21-nucleotide small temporal RNA (stRNA) let-7 regulates developmental timing in Caenorhabditis elegans and probably in other bilateral animals. We present in vivo and in vitro evidence that in Drosophila melanogaster a developmentally regulated precursor RNA is cleaved by an RNA interference-like mechanism to produce mature let-7 stRNA. Targeted destruction in cultured human cells of the messenger RNA encoding the enzyme Dicer, which acts in the RNA interference pathway, leads to accumulation of the let-7 precursor. Thus, the RNA interference and stRNA pathways intersect. Both pathways require the RNA-processing enzyme Dicer to produce the active small-RNA component that represses gene expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Endoribonucleases / genetics
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism*
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / metabolism*
  • RNA, Helminth / chemistry
  • RNA, Helminth / genetics
  • RNA, Helminth / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Ribonuclease III
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transfection

Substances

  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Helminth
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Endoribonucleases
  • Ribonuclease III