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MicroRNAs are small regulatory RNA molecules that exert post-transcriptional control over expression of specific target mRNAs. AU-rich elements (AREs) are highly conserved 3′UTR sequences that alter the stability and translation of mRNAs of clinical importance as a rapid and transient response to external and internal changes. We recently demonstrated that a reporter mRNA containing the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) ARE activates translation in response to quiescence via microRNA target sites in the ARE. Further studies revealed that microRNAs in general have the potential to regulate translation in a cell-cycle determined manner: in quiescent cells, microRNAs activate translation while in cycling/proliferating cells, microRNAs repress translation.

In this study, we have analyzed microRNA regulation of translation at additional stages of the cell cycle. We observe the strongest repressive potential in the S …