MicroRNAs, mRNAs, and Translation

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Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) comprise a large family of regulatory molecules that repress protein production from targetedmRNAs. Although it is now clear that miRNAs exert pervasive effects on gene expression in animal cells, the mechanism(s)by which they function remains poorly understood. We have analyzed the subcellular distribution of miRNAs in activelygrowing HeLa cells and find that the vast majority are associated with actively translating mRNAs in polysomes. We also findthat a specific miRNA-regulated mRNA (KRAS) is polysome associated and that its translation is impaired, apparently at thelevel of elongation. These observations are discussed in light of our current understanding of mechanism of miRNA function.
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