MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of non-coding RNAs that are believed to be important in many biological
processes through regulation of gene expression. The precise molecular function of miRNAs in mammals is largely
unknown and a better understanding will require loss-of-function studies in vivo.Researchers have invented a new
class of RNA oligonucleotides that can silence the short noncoding RNA molecules known as microRNAs in much the
same way that short interfering RNAs silence messenger RNA in the phenomenon known as RNA interference. A novel
class of chemically engineered antisense oligonucleotides(ASO), termed 'antagomirs', are efficient and specific
silencers of endogenous miRNAs miRNA can be blocked effectively using ASOs containing several distinct nucleic
acid modifications. In general, an effective ASO is resistant to non-specific cellular ribonucleases, resistant
to miRNA-directed cleavage by RISC, and binds miRNAs in RISC with high affinity, effectively out-competing binding
to target mRNAs. The mechanism by which ASOs block miRNA function remains controversial. Initial studies suggested
that ASOs block miRNA function by binding mature miRNAs in RISC. To study miRNA function in human somatic cells,
where genetic knockouts are difficult at best, antagomir transfection is an essential tool.
WE ARE A GROUP OF BIOINFORMATICS RESEARCHERS INVOLVED IN ACTIVE RESEARCH FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. SEVERAL RESEARCH
PROJECTS ARE IN THE PIPELINE AND ECIL – ECIT, DBT CENTRE FOR BIOINFORMATICS – PRESIDENCY COLLEGE KOLKATA, ARE
ACTIVE CENTRES FOR CONDUCTING OUR RESEARCH PROJECTS. WE HOPE TO CONTRIBUTE IN THE FIELDS OF MICRO –RNA RESEARCH
AND CANCER BIOMARKER DISCOVERY USING COMPUTATIONAL TECHNIQUES. WE INVITE ANY NEW RESEARCH PROPOSALS AND COOPERATIVE
PROJECTS FROM INTERESTED RESEARCHERS ALREADY WORKING IN THIS FIELD OR THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO EXPLORE THE VAST FIELD.
Jan Krützfeldt, Nikolaus Rajewsky, Ravi Braich, Kallanthottathil G. Rajeev, Thomas Tuschl, Muthiah Manoharan and
Markus Stoffel :: Silencing of microRNAs in vivo with 'antagomirs' Nature 438, 685-689 (1 December 2005) :
[LINK]
Angie M. Cheng, Mike W. Byrom, Jeffrey Shelton and Lance P. Ford :: Antisense inhibition of human miRNAs and indications
for an involvement of miRNA in cell growth and apoptosis . Nucleic Acids Research 2005 33(4):1290-1297 .
[LINK]
J Weiler, J Hunziker and J Hall :: Anti-miRNA oligonucleotides (AMOs): ammunition to target miRNAs implicated in
human disease? Gene Therapy (2006) 13, 496–502.
[LINK]
Gunter Meister,1 Markus Landthaler,1 Yair Dorsett, and Thomas Tuschl :: Sequence-specific inhibition of microRNA-
and siRNA-induced RNA silencing. RNA. 2004 March; 10(3): 544–550.
[LINK]
Joerg Mattes1,2, Ming Yang2 and Paul S. Foster2,3 :: Regulation of MicroRNA by Antagomirs: A New Class of
Pharmacological Antagonists for the Specific Regulation of Gene Function?. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol.,
Volume 36, Number 1, January 2007, 8-12.
[LINK]
