The Let-7 microRNA precursor was identified from a study of developmental timing in C. elegans, and was later shown to be part of a much larger class of non-coding RNAs termed microRNAs. miR-98 microRNA precursor from human is a let-7 family member. Let-7 miRNAs have now been predicted or experimentally confirmed in a wide range of species (MIPF000002). miRNAs are transcribed as pri-miRNAs, which are processed in the nucleus by Drosha and Pasha to hairpin structures of about ~70 nucleotide called pre-miRNAs. These precursors are exported to the cytoplasm by exportin5, where they are subsequently processed by the enzyme Dicer to a ~22 nucleotide mature miRNA. The involvement of Dicer in miRNA processing demonstrates a relationship with the phenomenon of RNA interference.

References

External links

• miRBase family entry for let-7