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Genetic Identification Of Development Pathways Regulated By Conserved Micrornas In Caenorhabditis Elegans, John L. Brenner

Dissertations (1934 -)

microRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 22 nucleotide non-coding RNAs that function to repress genes by binding to complementary sites in target mRNAs and play critical roles in development and disease. It is predicted that more than 60% of human genes are regulated by miRNAs, however, little is known about the individual functions of miRNAs. I used the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, as a model to identify developmental processes and pathways regulated by conserved miRNAs. Genetic examination of miRNA function is hindered by lack of obvious phenotypes attributed to loss of individual miRNA genes. Phenotypes attributable to loss of individual miRNA genes …