You may know the role of RNA in the central dogma: DNA makes RNA makes proteins. But RNA is an amazing molecule that is capable of so much more. There are so many types of RNAs besides the most commonly known RNAs involved in translation: mRNA and tRNA. For instance, microRNAs (miRNAs) are one such fascinating yet lesser known type of RNA. These small RNA molecules are “non-coding” RNAs. This just means they are not translated into proteins. Instead, miRNAs regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level , after the DNA has been transcribed into mRNA. This means that less of the protein encoded for by that gene will be produced. This regulatory process is known as post-transcriptional “gene silencing”. Many miRNAs play important roles in development and can be expressed in a tissue specific manner. For example, miRNAs are important in in morphogenesis, the process by which a developing organism begins to take shape through spatial distribution and organization of cells an
RNA: it's SO much more than a messenger!