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  • MicroRNAs in the developmental toolbox — a comparative approach to understanding their role in regulating insect development

This content will become publicly available on December 1, 2025

Title: MicroRNAs in the developmental toolbox — a comparative approach to understanding their role in regulating insect development
MicroRNAs are ubiquitous in the genomes of metazoans. Since their discovery during the late 20th century, our understanding of these small, noncoding RNAs has grown rapidly. However, there are still many unknowns about the functional significance of miRNAs — especially in non-model insects. Here I discuss the accumulating evidence that microRNAs are part of gene regulatory networks that determine not only the developmental outcome but also mediate transitions between stages and alternative developmental pathways. During the last 20 years, researchers have published a multitude of profiling studies that describe changes in miRNAs that may be important for development and catalog potential targets. Proof-of-principle studies document phenotypic changes that occur when candidate genes and/or miRNAs are inhibited or overexpressed. Studies that use both of these approaches, along with methods for confirming miRNA–mRNA interaction, demonstrate the necessary roles for miRNAs within gene networks. Together, all of these types of studies provide essential clues for understanding the function of miRNAs in the developmental toolbox.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1755318
PAR ID:
10560599
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Publisher / Repository:
Elesevier
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Current Opinion in Insect Science
Volume:
66
Issue:
C
ISSN:
2214-5745
Page Range / eLocation ID:
101256
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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