Let-7 microRNA precursor

Let-7 is a regulatory microRNA with 21 nucleotides, which was discovered in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The name stands for " lethal ( deadly ) 7".

Mutations in the gene for let-7 cause interference in the temporal development of C. elegans. This important steps are skipped or repeated several times. The adult worm is deformed in the result or not viable (hence the term " lethal ").

The let-7 RNA is complementary to elements in the 3'- untranslated (3'- UTR) region of developmental genes lin -14, lin -28, lin - 41, and daf -12, and so regulates the translation (translation, protein ).

The gene for let-7 is apparently highly conserved evolutionarily and controls the temporal evolution of many animal groups, in addition to roundworms insects, molluscs and vertebrates.

509033
de