The multilayered complexity of ceRNA crosstalk and competition

Nature. 2014 Jan 16;505(7483):344-52. doi: 10.1038/nature12986.

Abstract

Recent reports have described an intricate interplay among diverse RNA species, including protein-coding messenger RNAs and non-coding RNAs such as long non-coding RNAs, pseudogenes and circular RNAs. These RNA transcripts act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) or natural microRNA sponges - they communicate with and co-regulate each other by competing for binding to shared microRNAs, a family of small non-coding RNAs that are important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Understanding this novel RNA crosstalk will lead to significant insight into gene regulatory networks and have implications in human development and disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argonaute Proteins / metabolism
  • Binding, Competitive*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Pseudogenes / genetics
  • RNA / genetics
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA Editing
  • RNA, Circular
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Argonaute Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Circular
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA