(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009-10-02)
Sharp, Phillip A.
The discovery of the multiple roles of small RNAs in regulation of gene expression is a revolutionary advance in biology. MicroRNAs
probably interact with mRNAs from half of all human genes. Overexpression of some microRNAs is associated with certain types of
cancer while, more commonly, a reduction in microRNA levels is seen in tumors. Recent evidence suggests that the primary role of
microRNAs might be to provide robustness or stability to systems. We have recently found that cytoplasmic subcellular localization of
mRNAs and microRNAs is dependent upon formation of poly(ADP-ribose) and that microRNA repression is reduced under stress
conditions.