Are the Ro RNP-associated Y RNAs concealing microRNAs? Y RNA-derived miRNAs may be involved in autoimmunity

Anja P M Verhagen; Ger J M Pruijn

doi:10.1002/bies.201100048

Are the Ro RNP-associated Y RNAs concealing microRNAs? Y RNA-derived miRNAs may be involved in autoimmunity

Bioessays. 2011 Sep;33(9):674-82. doi: 10.1002/bies.201100048. Epub 2011 Jul 7.

Authors

Anja P M Verhagen¹, Ger J M Pruijn

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. A.Verhagen@science.ru.nl

PMID: 21735459
DOI: 10.1002/bies.201100048

Abstract

Here we discuss the hypothesis that the RNA components of the Ro ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), the Y RNAs, can be processed into microRNAs (miRNAs). Although Ro RNPs, whose main protein components Ro60 and La are targeted by the immune system in several autoimmune diseases, were discovered many years ago, their function is still poorly understood. Indeed, recent data show that miRNA-sized small RNAs can be generated from Y RNAs. This hypothesis leads also to a model in which Ro60 acts as a modulator in the Y RNA-derived miRNA biogenesis pathway. The implications of these Y RNA-derived miRNAs, which may be specifically produced under pathological circumstances such as in autoimmunity or during viral infections, for the enigmatic function of Ro RNPs are discussed.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Autoantigens / genetics
Autoantigens / metabolism*
Autoimmune Diseases / etiology
Autoimmune Diseases / genetics*
Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism
Autoimmunity / genetics*
Base Sequence
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / genetics
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / metabolism
MicroRNAs / genetics*
MicroRNAs / metabolism
Molecular Sequence Data
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / genetics
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / metabolism
RNA, Messenger / genetics
RNA, Messenger / metabolism
RNA, Small Cytoplasmic / genetics
RNA, Small Cytoplasmic / metabolism*
RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
Ribonucleoproteins / genetics
Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism*
Sjogren's Syndrome / genetics
Sjogren's Syndrome / metabolism
Virus Diseases / genetics
Virus Diseases / metabolism

Substances

Autoantigens
MicroRNAs
RNA, Messenger
RNA, Small Cytoplasmic
RNA, Small Interfering
RO60 protein, human
Ribonucleoproteins
SS-A antigen